SHE'S a medical doctor by day and an aspiring music maker by night. In fact, Dr Lihle Buthelezi has already penned two songs - I Can Feel It and Love and Dance - for Durban's top DJ Fisherman's award-winning album Evolution 1.0.

Armed with a lot of chutzpah and a never-say-die attitude, Buthelezi returns to the Idols stage later this year after her efforts bombed out last season. She failed to progress to the Top 16 after her performance during the green mile flopped.

Buthelezi, 26, of Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, was devastated when her dream was derailed but vowed to make a comeback. She did so with aplomb at last month's Durban auditions.

"I've never been more ready. It's a crossroads moment for me and I want to do what makes me happy. I'm here with the hope that winning Idols will be my vehicle," she says.

Buthelezi says she brings a more confident and goal-directed self to the game this time.

"I've been at Afrotainment studios and wrote for and recorded with DJ Fisherman. I'm very proud of the work that's doing well on iTunes currently," she says.

She qualified as a doctor from the University of KwaZulu-Natal two years ago but medicine has not been her first choice.

She had always wanted to venture into the arts, she says.

Buthelezi is not the only medical doctor on Idols SA this season.

Dr Mandla Bacela, 28, of Butterworth in Eastern Cape also received a Golden Ticket and is ready to swap his stethoscope for a microphone. He missed the Cape Town auditions then flew to Durban for the auditions.

"Music is my actual career. I hope Idols will give me a breakthrough so I can switch professions."

Bacela used to be a DJ at the community-based Khanya FM in Butterworth. He also had a group called 7 Brothers.

"Unfortunately, the group split because of career moves, but I am continuing as a solo artist," he says.

mahlanguba@sowetan,co.za

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