Fashioning Modern Africanism

Last night’s top four Idols SA hopefuls showed that   local is   lekker   as they tried to win the hearts and votes of their fans that they have what it takes to be the next South African idol. The contestants paid homage to the music stable that might just be their home if they win the competition –  Kalawa Jazmee – and performed songs by artists who have been part of the record label over the years. The second half of the show featured a favourite from last year – The Mzansi Gay Choir. Having said goodbye to Ndoni, who did not manage to win enough votes to make it into the top four, the remaining contestants pulled off a spectacular show, displaying just how badly they want to advance to the next stage. ZanoThando opened the evening’s performances on a high note, receiving all round praises for his first performance –  ‘Via Orlando’  by DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota featuring Dr Malinga. Randall Abrahams commended him for the brilliant song choice, which allowed him to focus on his strengths.

It was another music double header with the Idols  SA hopefuls performing twice. For their first performances, they showed the wooden mic contenders – and the rest of Mzansi – how it should be performed, bringing back to life songs that had suffered horrible deaths during the audition rounds. In the second half of the show, they sang Mzansi’s most Shazamed hits. With Ntokozo sadly out of the running after she was eliminated in last night’s show, Ndoni, Mr Music, Zama, Brandon and ZanoThando will now need to ensure they woo her fans to gain those extra votes. And if the judges’ comments are anything to go by, they lived up to their expectations. The powerhouse Ndoni opened the evening with Berita’s  ‘Ndicel’ ikiss’  and before returning later to perform  ‘Senzeni’  by DJ Manzo SA. Randall Abrahams said she was sufficiently unique to always have a fighting chance in the competition, while Unathi Nkayi said she had been phenomenal. Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung was ecstatic, saying she had kille

As the search continues for the 16 th   Idols SA winner, the competition is getting tougher, with the contestants continuing to impress with their exceptional talent.  However, there can only be one winner and as impressive as Be was last week, she became the second contestant in the top 10 to say goodbye to that dream, having failed to secure enough votes to progress to the top eight. But for the remaining contestants, it was yet another week to bring on their A-game.   Last night, the top eight paid homage to those who are still new to the music industry but are owning their space. Performing under the theme “New kids on the block”, the Idols SA hopefuls had the judges full of praise, proving that they too will soon be claiming their space in the music industry.   Performing Zandi Khumalo’s  ‘NgiyaKhuthanda’,  Bongi started the show on a high note – with the judges praising her warmly for her performance. Randall Abrahams said sticking with the ballads was working for her, but highli

Lastnight, IdolsSA was intense with the contestants  starting to  show their versatility and hunger to win it as they performed under the theme ‘lockdown hits’. It's some of the contestants song choice for me that will fail them. Song choice plays a key part at this stage of the competition. Mzansi want to see versatility and be blown away. Only a few of the contestants managed to pull flammable performances that will earn them the viewers votes.  Jooma, the first to be named as part of the top 9, was first to perform, singing Loyiso’s  ‘Madoda  Sabelani’.  While Unathi Nkayi merely thanked him on behalf of the women of South Africa, Randall Abrahams advised him to “change it up” for more variety even as he commended him, calling him a good vocalist. Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung praised the performance, saying it was enough to take him to the finals and beyond. Bongi was next with  ‘Stand Up’  by Cynthia Erivo. Unathi said it was a beautiful performance, while Somizi said her performance

Idols SA Top 16 contestant Jerodine Madlala deserves an immediate disqualification from the Top 10 of Idols SAseason 16 because moss moghurl went and got herself pregnant. Don't get me wrong, falling pregnant is not a bad thing. I'm imagining it's a beautiful experience. However, Jerodine entered herself in a singing competition, and that automatically means you can't be wanting to pop babies during and after that time (should one win). Think of it like a beauty pageant, no contestant is allowed to be pregnant during the competition and her reign. Like whose going to give birth to the child? Whose gonna feed, bath and nurture the baby? Sadly men can't do that, which is a real shame if you ask me. While others might argue that nywe-nywe-nywe Jerodine is 28 years old and she can do whatever she wants with her body and vagina. Also that God's timing is best nonsense. The problem with such sentiments (above) is that Idols SA is mainly a youth show target, kids watch

Theatre Week has seen 31 winners advancing to battle it out for the 2020 Top 16 spots in an intense round that required contestants to focus on their performance while having very little social interaction with their peers. Season 16 Theatre Week had 107 Golden tickets winners battling it out over four hectic days.     “Theatre week is a stage in the competition where viewers get to know their contestants better and to choose their favourites and first round of theatre week was filled with everything to keep the viewers on their edge of the seat – heartbreak, tension and entertainment,” says Nomsa Philiso, the channel director for Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.   Theatre week day one   It was a nerve-wrecking and disastrous start for some, and a glorious ending for those who showed the tenacity to advance to the next round.   Brendon, who got his golden ticket from the Durban leg of the auditions, was the first contestant to hit the stage. He was nervous that he even forgot his

Idols SA’s  sixteenth season will be premiering on Mzansi Magic on Sunday, 2 August 2020, after being delayed due to the lockdown-enforced production break and interruptions to the audition process. The show took to social media on Wednesday, 15 July 2020, to make the announcement with a short clip of resident judge, Somizi Mhlongo, excitedly revealing the news. Idols SA  has since shared numerous behind-the-scenes visuals of host, ProVerb, recording voiceovers for the pre-production phase. Season 16 will see returning judges, Somizi Mhlongo, Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi, offering advice and guidance to the contestants throughout the competition. The upcoming season will feature numerous format changes, with many of the auditions being conducted online due to the lockdown restrictions. The production has yet to reveal the new format of the live shows, which will also be cognisant of the social distancing regulations.

First in line Talk about dedication and passion; Lungisani Mthethwa started queuing up Friday at 09h00 for Saturday’s audition. He is a 21-year-old from Kwa-Mbonambi in Richard’s Bay. In Season 15 of Idols SA he was fourth in line and today he managed to be the first in line for this season. The late Thami Shobede was his vocal coach as well his inspiration. “Thami kept on pushing me to do more and stay focused so that I can make it in the music industry” Lungisani said. He does a lot of video performances online and has thousands of views on his social media platforms. Lungisani is better known as Mr Bruce Music. The vibrant and cheerful Claydene Morrow is currently studying beauty therapy. Being born and raised in the Eastern Cape (Umtata), the 20-year-old feels it’s time that the world gets to see her talent. She has always been hesitant to enter and this time her mother who happens to be her biggest inspiration motivated her to give it a try and see what will come

Idols SA Pop up auditions are not taking place in the same set-up this year.  There is an exciting change to the Pop-Up auditions format. Here is the news you've been waiting for, Pop up auditions this year have gone online! Now you will be afforded an opportunity to audition for one of the best music reality shows regardless of where you are based. You can now enter Idols SA Season 16 by posting your video audition on our website. Idols pop up auditions goes live at midnight on Tuesday 25 February and close on Thursday 27 February 2020. It is for a limited time only, and they are open strictly for 48 hours. Go to  idolssa.tv  for all the details now! So, here is how it works: To audition you will need to enter the below information online 1.Full Name 2.SA  ID Number 3.Contact phone number 4. Contact e-mail address. 5. Where do you live at the moment? 6. 30 second video clip of audition, strictly singing only. Once an audition has been submitted, an a