DRIEKOPPIES – The weekend was painted pink with Team Bongi supporters, cheering her all across the province in celebration.

Bongiwe Silinda returned to her hometown to thank her fans and had the whole of Nkomazi enthralled.

She started her tour in the hub of one of her greatest sponsors, Malelane SPAR, greeted the staff and customers before making her way to Driekoppies Stadium on Saturday.

“I am really grateful to the people who voted me to the final. It is so humbling. I did not win, but I really feel like a winner because of the turnout and support from my people.”

Bongi says she has yet to become used to the fact that she is famous. This Idols sensation says she has huge plans lined up for her musical journey.

“The most amazing outcome of this contest, apart from the profile upgrade, is the fact that I got signed with Universal Studios.

Any musician would attest to that being a great deal. The plan now is to aim beyond the stars, no sky would limit me now. I plan to carry on living my life which is music as I know nothing else apart from this,” she added.

Looking stunning in her pink lipstick, Bongi said she had no choice but to fall in love with the colour.

“I was surprised to see the colour everywhere I went. I remember during one of my performances I wore a pink jumpsuit. Everything was pink, and it has now become my favourite colour.”

With so many gigs lined up, Bongi says her time to shine is now. “I’d love to release my album now, however, I can’t do that before the winner releases his, due to logistics.

I will touch base with the people through gigs in the meantime and they can download my single, If I got You.”

The 24-year-old single beauty will perform at MamRubby’s in Pienaar on Sunday for its Sunday Chillas Session.

“I want the people in the province to know that even though I will work from Jozi full-time, I still have lots of love for them and they should never feel like I’m neglecting them, because I got to this point because of their support,” she added.