Vincent Bones

Vincent Bones – a former homeless street kid roaming for discarded left-overs in the streets of Sunnyside, Pretoria – is the winner of Idols 2014, South Africa.

In a resurgent season which lured 24,3m votes Vincent Bones from Pietermaritzburg won the popular vote when he was announced the winner in the 10th season’s live finale of Idols on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

“Sleeping in the streets is scary at first. It’s a challenge you get used to,” he said. Luckily he was put into Boys Town, finished his schooling and changed his life. “I believe what I went through in life, is enough to carry my character,” he said about entering Idols.

The worship leader’s touching back story – he eventually managed to escape a life as a homeless street kid which he became after the death of his mother and uncle – as well as his powerful soulful singing, proved an irresistible draw to viewers who week after week voted to keep him in the reality show competition.

Bones who can play the piano, drums, base and saxophone.