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Johannesburg - The Voice SA Season 2 contestant Tender Mavundla is so hungry to be crowned the winner that she even visualises herself singing the winning song.
Even though she faced a demanding day as the last eight participants of The Voice SA were confined to hectic rehearsals, Mavundla, 35 gave City Press a moment to chat about her absorbing life story and her vision.
Getting so far in the competition has not been easy, she says, as it signals the beginning of the brutal battle for the throne.
She’s from KwaNositha village in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, and is nobody’s patsy – she has a lot of fire in her belly and is driven by her passion for music.
This explains why she is the only black African singer still standing in the top eight.
“I am so overwhelmed because I am the only black African singer in here … and they sing, these people,” she says.
“I entered this competition knowing that I am a winner, and I am taking this one home with me,” says Mavundla as she closes her eyes, visualising her victory.
She says she has her aunt to thank for her gutsy personality – she groomed her during her primary school years in the village.
She joined her parents in Gamalakhe township, near Margate on the Hibiscus Coast, in 1996, where she completed high school.
The singer recalls being actively involved in stage plays and gospel choir music in school.
She even won SABC1’s Jam Alley Megastar competition.
She then pursued her talent with vigour, garnering opportunities like becoming a back-up singer for legends such as Ray Phiri of Stimela, having a stint in Mthunzi Namba’s Joyous Celebration gospel project and working with the late gospel singer Lundi Tyamara.
She also made it into the top four of Idols SA.
WATCH TENDER PERFORM HERE:
“If I win this competition, I plan to move to Johannesburg to make my own album,” Mavundla says, adding that she is ready to settle in Jozi with her family.
When asked who inspires her, she says powerful women with great voices such as the late Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Thandiswa Mazwai and Kelly Khumalo.
“I am quite sure I will meet [Khumalo] one day,” she says, adding that she has already met Mazwai.
The fates of Mavundla, Fatman, Craig Lucas, Samantha Leonard, PJ Pretorius, Luke Lovemore, Josh Ansley and Caroline Brussow are now in the hands of the South African public.
Every Sunday after the show, viewers can vote for her by SMS or WeChat (adding MnetTv to vote for free) by messaging the number 12 to 33692.
Lines close on Tuesdays at 22:00.
