Thapelo Molomo (born on January 18th, 1993; Age: 31 years old) is a South African vocalist and SAPS warrant officer who won South African Idols Season 18. He released his first EP titled Uyaphila in March 2023.
A graduate of Psychology, Thapelo entered the Idols SA competition as a certified trauma counselor working with the South African Police Service. Having been endowed with a wide vocal range, the Limpopo native emerged as the winner of the popular singing competition in November 2022. He then began building a budding career in music a few months after Idols’ victory with the release of an EP.
Thapelo Molomo’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Thapelo Molomo
- Nickname: Singing Policeman
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: January 18th, 1993
- Thapelo Molomo’s Age: 31 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Single
- Thapelo Molomo’s Children: 1 daughter
- Thapelo Molomo’s Net worth: R1 million+
- Famous for: Winning South African Idols Season 18
- Thapelo Molomo’s Instagram: @thapelomolomo0
- Twitter: @Thapelo_molom
- Facebook: @ThapeloMolomo
What is Thapelo Molomo’s Age?
Thapelo Molomo, the winner of Idols SA 18, is 31 years old. He was born on January 18th, 1993, making his zodiac sign Aquarius. Though Thapelo had been a backup vocalist for the gospel group Spirit of Praise between 2012 and 2014, his singing talent made him famous across Mzansi at the age of 29.
Where is Thapelo Molomo Originally From?
Thapelo Molomo hails from Diretsaneng village in Mokopane, Limpopo. There, he was born and raised with his five siblings. The talented singer is so attached to home, and has good relations with his people. After clinching the Idols 18 grand prize, he gave a shout-out to his people in Mokopane, thanking them for their constant love and support throughout his stay in the competition.
Thapelo Holds a Degree in Psychology
Thapelo Molomo had his primary and secondary school education in Limpopo. For primary school, he attended Diretsaneng School and then completed his matric at Phomolong Secondary School in the year 2011. Two years later, the 31-year-old enrolled for a degree program in Psychology at the University of Venda.
He bagged a BA in Psychology in 2017 and later joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) as an intern in the Psychological Services Section. He was eventually employed to work as a trauma counselor in the same department and is stationed at the Brits Police Station in North West.
Thapelo Molomo’s Journey to Stadorm as Idols SA Winner
Thapelo Molomo is a registered counselor working under the Employee Health and Wellness section. The SAPS warrant officer provides counseling and psychological aid to police officers and their families. With the support of SAPS to fully explore his potential, the Mokopane-born entered the South African Idols season 18 competition.
He told himself that he was ready for such a big competition and that the season was meant for him to shine. As a result, he paid proper attention to voice coaching and constantly attended music workshops. And this furthered his singing talent, which helped him win the hearts of many South Africans at the early stage of the competition.
Although he had no formal vocal training, Thapelo Molomo was selected as one of the top 5 contestants in late October 2022. He was then given the opportunity to record his first single ‘Phanda’ as a top-five finalist. And after wowing the judges and the viewers with his terrific performances, Molomo was announced the winner of Idols SA 18 on November 13th, 2022, at the Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane, Pretoria.
Police Minister Bheki Cele attended the Idols finale on behalf of the South African Police Service. He congratulated Molomo and cited how proud he has made the country’s police department. After winning the Idols 18 grand prize, which instantly made him a millionaire, Thapelo Molomo returned to work in December 2022.
#sapsHQ #SAPS management congratulates Warrant Officer Thapelo Molomo for being crowned the @IdolsSA Season 18 winner. Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, who attended the finale, has on behalf of the SAPS, congratulated the newly crowned winner. MEhttps://t.co/g8md95HRsb pic.twitter.com/PFKreNLj7e
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 13, 2022
List of the Prizes Received by Thapelo Molomo for Winning Idols 18
- R1 million cash, which comprised of:
- R350,000 from Mzansi Magic
- R350,000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account
- R300,000 from Spotify
- R85,000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha
- A Toyota Starlet
- Access to a Standard Bank wealth manager
- A fashion voucher from Truworths and live show outfits, all valued at R100,000
- A recording contract with Kalawa Jamzee Records
Is Thapelo Molomo Really Broke?
Idols SA Season 18 winner took to social media to introduce his fans to his new business venture – selling eggs and atchaar, in January 2023. Soon after, it was rumored that the rising star had squandered his Idols cash prize and was broke. Thapelo quickly debunked the rumor and made it clear to Mzansi that he wasn’t broke.
He said that he invested the R1 million cash prize in a home for his family. And he started his small business as a motivation for the youth to create employment for themselves. Also, Thapelo Molomo believes that music artists need to have many streams of income in order to have something to fall back on when music doesn’t really work out as planned.
He started the business with his friends, Tinashe Ndlovu and Sipho Khoza, and has been working very hard to properly manage his time, having been juggling between different careers. On weekdays, Thapelo works as a police psychologist, and after work hours, he sells eggs and atchaar in his car. He also goes to the studio and then performs gigs on weekends.
Thapelo Molomo’s EP
The singing policeman, as Thapelo Molomo is fondly called, released his much-anticipated Extended Play, ‘Uyaphila’, on March 30th, 2023. The four-track EP is all-in-one and catered for everybody as it features gospel, afro-pop, and amapiano songs. Molomo named the EP ‘Uyaphila’ to depict God’s faithfulness towards him throughout his entire journey on Idols, which was challenging and difficult.
He featured fellow Idols contestant Ty Loner in the music project. He hopes to release a full album and thus promised his fans to expect a live recording from him soon. His Extended Play, ‘Uyaphila,’ consists of four songs titled:
- Siyabulela Mdali
- Uyaphila
- Phakede Lami
- Uyaphila club mix
Is Thapelo Molomo Married?
Thapelo Molomo is not married, however, he is a father of one. He had his daughter a month before joining South African Idols Season 18. The warrant officer explained that getting separated from his one month child was quite hard for him. Having missed his baby girl so much while in the competition, he dedicated his victory on Idols to her.
Though no longer together with his baby mama, the 31-year-old psychologist has a good co-parenting relationship with the mother of his child. Interestingly, the former couple has an adequate understanding and communication system in place.
