Hard Times are over, Mom and Dad! 
(YOU magazine 27 June 2002)

It must be great to be born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth. Take Heinz Winckler- he comes from a loving home, is almost a fully fledged lawyer and has seductive looks and a magical voice. Now he's won the Idol's contest.

It seems a fairytale life yet things haven't always been that rosy. But hardship, he says, shaped him into the modest guy he is now.

It's the morning after his idols victory and he looks tired- congratulations streamed in long after the show ended and he had to face hundreds of fans. But tiredness hasn't affected his appetite: he orders a burger (no onions), chips and a strawberry milkshake. Heinz (24) has spent most of his life in Stellenbosch as the eldest of three kids. "lots of people think I'm from a wealthy family, but I'm not," he says. "sometimes we lived comfortably but there were also tough times."

Without giving away to much he says his teacher dad Theo ran into difficulties at one stage which left the family paying off debt for years. Then he left teaching for a job as city planner in Bellville but the post was soon done away with and the family was worse off.

"Suddenly my Dad was unemployed. there's nothing worse than seeing your father's pride collapsing before your eyes." But hard times have advantages, he says. "It kept us humble and made us appreciate things more. It also brought us close as a family." He was able to study law because as a secretary at Stellenbosch University his mom was allowed discounted tuition fees and he could live at home. Heinz got around on his bicycle and on Saturdays had to wash the family car.

He's dreamt of a law career since his high school days but at university a love of music took over. "I come from a background with set guidelines about what's acceptable. I realised the music industry was risky. "My parents never forced me to do anything but they encouraged me to get my degree. They wanted me to learn from my mistakes - I know they meant well."

He started his musical career as a backing singer for a student church group and after two years became the lead singer. Last year he started performing publicly in Stellenbosch. "I wanted to finish my studies this year and concentrate on music next year," he says. "if it didn't work out I planned to focus on the legal aspects of the music industry. I realised music was a gift but I was afraid to drop my studies and strike out in a new direction."

His parents weren't always happy, believing he was neglecting his law studies. "I know I was sometimes guilty. I failed private law in my third year and - although many factors were responsible - my love for performing definitely played a role."

But when he heard about Idols he knew he had to go for it. "it was my first big decision - it wasn't easy dropping my studies..."

HEINZ dislikes the egos that too often develop on the back of fame and he insists he won't get a swollen head. "My feet will stay firmly on the ground and I'll focus on the important things. I have to realise the really hard work lies ahead. Idols was a step towards something. It's given me the chance to move forward. "Now I must work with Dave Thompson and Marcus Brewster to ensure I sell CDs." He knows it might be difficult to remain the person he was a few months ago -especially if he starts earning allot. "I need to learn as much as possible and try not to make the same mistakes twice. Unfortunately, I'm new in the business and will make mistakes. "on idols people see through you more easily than you can imagine because you're exposed to the cameras. If you're not yourself they'll catch you out sooner or later."

Shortly before the Final Idols performance Heinz and the other two finalists were taken on a lightning tour of South Africa - and in port Elizabeth he realised he has to prepare for a new life.

"Hordes of people chanted my name,. It was overwhelming. It was like a Michael Jackson concert. They were hysterical and pushed and shoved to get near me. "I had to prevent some of the children in the crowd from getting hurt." He says he was proud but at the same time a little afraid.

"I realised my old life was over and I'd never be able to walk into a shopping center without being mobbed. I was also very proud because I'd got to where I wanted to be."

Thousands of woman would love to hook Heinz but he'll be far too busy in the next few months to even think of a relationship. He's had a steady girlfriend but is unattached now. I'm waiting for the right one," he says. "I believe God has a plan for my life and He'll send me the right one. "With all the opportunities coming his way he wants to help others too- especially his family. " It would be wonderful if my parents no longer had to worry about money..."