Durban’s outstanding favourite for this year’s Idols competition Lloyd Cele is an interesting character who’s struggled through tough times to make a success of his life.
Born in KwaMashu, Durbs, L’loyd was raised by his very special “single mom” Patience Cele and late grandmother Rhoda Cele.
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According to his website, L’loyd attended primary school at KwaMashu C section, and at the age of about 10 moved to Phoenix with his mom, grandparents and aunts for a better future. There, he attended Greenbury primary school, then moved to Greenbury secondary school and completed matric there. He was passionate about basketball and achieved his Natal colours for the sport.
L’loyd matriculated in 2000 and studied software engineering. This bright spark obtained a diploma in software engineering, and secured a certificate in web development, Tibco General Interface, iProcess server and Business Studio. Today he’s employed at Dynatech Information Systems as an Interface Specialist.
L’loyd is married to Janice and they have a son . . . Levi Josh.
L’loyd says he’s been singing for as long he can remember. Church was his first real exposure to instruments and he took a liking to guitar at the age of 20. He joined the Eagles band in 2001, is now the band’s director, lead singer and composer.
Determined to make his dreams come true, L’loyd has not had much technical training but is relying on his natural ear for music and strong personality to take him all the way in this year’s competition. Judging by the universal support L’loyd seems to enjoy from Idols fans, he must be the firm favourite to win this competition.
For Elvis Blue, 30, from George (real name Jan Hoogendyk), just making it into the show was like a dream come true, because of his age. Blue, like Cele, is a husband and father, and the two have become good friends during the show.
From 2002 to 2006 Elvis Blue performed countrywide under the stage name Mono and released two albums, In Stereo and One. Exhausted with touring he eventually settled down in George.
“This show is a dream come true for me. The response shows people listen and appreciate what I do,” he said.