Heinz Winckler

Heinz Carl Heinrich Winckler (born 22 March 1978) was the winner of the first series of South African Idols. Born the eldest of three children in Stellenbosch, South Africa, he went on to study law at Stellenbosch University. After winning the Idols competition in June 2002, he discontinued his studies to devote time to a music career. Idols was the South African version of the British Pop Idol show, and was presented as a talent search competiti... more

Heinz Carl Heinrich Winckler (born 22 March 1978) was the winner of the first series of South African Idols. Born the eldest of three children in Stellenbosch, South Africa, he went on to study law at Stellenbosch University. After winning the Idols competition in June 2002, he discontinued his studies to devote time to a music career. Idols was the South African version of the British Pop Idol show, and was presented as a talent search competition with successive elimination rounds narrowing the number of contestants. Throughout the show, Winckler was referred to as "Hunky Heinz" because of his good looks. Winckler's debut single, Once in a lifetime, went double platinum in South Africa having sold over 100000 copies. His subsequent debut album, One step closer, included this song as well as Soledad, a cover of the Westlife song which he performed during Idols, and Next stop happiness, which became a single as well. He was nominated for two South African Music Awards, including best... less