Bongiwe has her eyes set on the fame

See that girl just off stage right? That would be Bongiwe Silinda, the Mpumalanga-born songstress who has the entire Idols team talking.

The diva, as she has been affectionately dubbed by fellow contestants and judges alike, has made it her business to be noticed.

“There are two types of people who come back for a second or a third time,” said SA Idols judge Gareth Cliff.

“There are those who are desperate and in denial, and then there are those who are so persistent because they believe that they have the talent.” Bongi is the embodiment of the latter.

She was given a second chance after the Carnival City auditions and has drawn strength and inspiration from that. “I know that I can go all the way this time. I have what

it takes and soon everyone will share that sentiment,” she said.

EASY DOES IT

As a child, she shared a relaxed lifestyle with her older sister and two younger brothers, in the quiet township of Driekoppies. Her mother Virginia, a chef by profession, instilled the essence of “food and fun” in her children while dad, Jacob, was a hard-working, dedicated teacher.

From early on, it was evident to both parents – their Bongi wanted to sing. “My parents, specifi cally my father, hoped in a sense that my infatuation with music was just that, and that I would somehow outgrow it.

I think he wanted me to follow in his footsteps and pursue a teaching career,” Bongi says.

It was in high school that it became apparent she meant business and soon after graduating, she enrolled at the Howard Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal where she completed her national diploma in jazz and popular music.

She now lives in Pretoria where she occupies a regular Thursday evening slot at the renowned Afro Lounge Kitchen Bar in Church Street.

EVEN MUSIC HAS TO PAUSE

When she’s not singing, this Lowveld girl enjoys the sounds of the city and frequents Menlyn Park shopping centre with friends. She also loves getting lost in her music on the couch some afternoons.

“I enjoy the city, the energy of it and the diversity of its people inspires me. But I wouldn’t want to live in Johannesburg though, Pretoria has become home, for now.

”On the topic of relationships, Bongi has a somewhat direct approach to a sturdy philosophy.

“It’s not that I feel I’m too young for a relationship more than what if I get to a point where my career forces me to choose between the two? I would dread having to make that decision, so I remove it from the equation completely by sticking to the single life.”

SO ABOUT THOSE BOYS

At face value, one would expect her to be an avid football enthusiast, considering the recent hype of the World Cup and the Selati Cup, the region’s biggest soccer tournament, hosted annually in her hometown. But Bongi sees it differently.

“Although I am not a football supporter in the truest sense, I am indeed a footballer fan. A girl needs her eye candy and if from time to time that candy wears a soccer jersey and shorts, well, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

FAST FORWARD A LITTLE

One of her most memorable moments, if she were to recall in her old age,