Idols to ordained minister: Where is Heinz Winckler now?
· The South African
Heinz Winckler is celebrating the 24th anniversary of winning the title of the first Idols South Africa.
The singer, now an ordained minister, won the talent show on Youth Day in 2002.
Visit forestarrow.rest for more information.
HEINZ WINCKLER CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY OF ‘IDOLS SA’ WIN
On 16 June 2002, Heinz Winckler, then 24, was named the first-ever winner of Idols South Africa.
The University of Stellenbosch law graduate received 40.2% of fan votes, beating the likes of runners-up Brandon October and Melanie Lowe to win the talent show, which was broadcast on M-Net.
In an Instagram post, the now 48-year-old said of the occasion: “It’s amazing to look back on 24 years and see the hand of God and all the wonderful things that have happened.
“It’s been a wonderful journey, and I look forward to what lies ahead. I think the best is yet to come.
Heinz thanked his fans for supporting his career by continuing to stream his music”.
View this post on Instagram
To celebrate the anniversary, Heinz Winckler shared a link to a Spotify playlist of his favourite songs.
His wife, Alette, also shared a special post dedicated to the anniversary.
She captioned the post: “The greatest success of your life was never winning a competition. It was remaining faithful to the One who gave you the platform in the first place”.
WHAT IS HE UP TO NOW?
In 2002, Heinz Winckler won the very first season of Idols South Africa. He released three acclaimed studio albums and a fourth in Afrikaans, following the competition. His debut album, Once In A Lifetime, received a SAMA nomination for Best Pop Album and went double platinum in South Africa, with sales exceeding 100 000 copies.
A year after the Idols SA win, Heinz took fourth place in the inaugural World Idols competition. He made it to the Top 5, beating the likes of UK winner Will Young.
In recent years, he has hung up his mic to pursue a career in the ministry. In 2021, he became the lead pastor at the LoveKey Church in Somerset West.
Heinz Winckler married his wife, Alette, an image consultant and author, in 2006. They have four children together.
Heinz has been outspoken about his conservative Christian views, making headlines over his opinions on homosexuality, transgender identity, right-wing politics, “fake news leftist media”, and recently fat-shaming comments.