Too Mutz!

The 2005 Idols competition became a religion amongst a certain Grahamstown set, with regular Sunday night gathering at number 3 Worcester Mews where we ritualistically gathered to watch the performances. Esteemed music critics we really weren’t. I’m often quoted as saying that I’m so tone deaf, it’s a wonder I’m not colour blind too. Regardless, we each had a favourite.

As the weeks rolled on and the tensions mounted we watched as the number of contestants slowly diminished until (not without controversy) Karin Kortje emerged as the winner. (There are those who’ll rebuke me for use of the term idol, so I’ll stick to winner.) Kortje, mother of one, hailed from the sleepy town of Grabouw, near Cape Town, where she worked on an Apple farm. On the weekends she sang with her Band, Karin and the Elgineers. Capetonians grew to love their champ in the weeks following the competition and Karin has been making appearances to jiving audiences ever since.

During the competition Karin sang a little number where the chorus went “never too much, never too much, never too much…” Given her characteristically Capetonian accent the chorus rand out over the televisions speakers as “never too mutz, never too mutz, never too mutz…” only to be met by squeal of excited laughter from said gathered crew of Idols fans in Grahamstown. It seems that recently, however, the fairytale story of apple-packer come songstress had taken a turn for the worst. A dire situation that can only really be described as “too mutz”.

Kortjie’s boyfriend, Cheslyn Williams, has been arrested for the murder of four-star Durbanville guesthouse owner Renate Kellerman. Apparently Williams, Kortjie and her manager were staying at said guesthouse when after returning from a day out Karin discovered Kellerman’s dead body. Kellerman’s cellphone and other items were later found in the possession of Williams leading to his arrest. Williams case has been postponed so that more evidence can be gathered and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 24th. Until then he will remain in the Goodwood prison.

Kortjie has apparently been undergoing counselling to cope with the trauma. Too mutz…