Fashioning Modern Africanism

After a dramatic showstopper episode last week, tonight’s   Idols SA   saw season 18 contestants share their truest selves as they sang songs that inspired them, followed by soaring collaborations with MTN Joyous Celebration. With over 8.5 million viewer votes this week, the top 6 are Mpilo, Noxolo, Nozi, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee. Sadly, it was the end of the road for Kabelo. Joining the crowd was British boxing icon Chris Eubank, there to witness the best the contestants had to give the full house at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena. Opening the show was Zee, who performed Christina Aguilera’s  Hurt , and later,  Uzuliphathe Kahle  with Joyous. Commenting on the first performance, Somizi Mhlongo said: “You were flawless. Your lower register is insane – you sounded confident and mature.” Thembi Seete agreed: “You can do any song right now… The second performance injected life into us.”  JR Bogopa also had high praise for the 18-year-old: “You’re in your element. You’re growing to become the

Tapping into music their parents grew up listening to, the  Idols SA  season 18 top 8 took us on a dazzling trip down memory lane with some of the world’s greatest hits from artists such as The Beatles, Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey.    With over 7 million votes this week, Mzansi decided that their top 8 was: Nozi, CeeJay, Zee, Kabelo, Ty Loner, Thapelo, Mpilo and Noxolo. Sadly, Tesmin-Robyn’s  Idols SA  journey came to an end.    The show started off with an electrifying group performance paying tribute to kwaito legends TKZee. The top 8 had the Heartfelt Arena on their feet with an upbeat medley of  Dlala Mapantsula, Phala Fala, Fiasco  and  Shibobo .    Amapiano sensation Pabi Cooper kept the momentum going with an energetic performance of  Banyana ke bafana  and  Waga Bietjie .    Starting off was Nozi, who delivered Roberta Flack’s  The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face  — this was her father’s high school crush.    Somizi Mhlongo, who gave Nozi a standing ovation, said: “There’s

After two weeks of stellar performances from the top 12 and over 7.5 million viewer votes garnered, the   Idols SA   season 18 top 10 has been decided. They are: CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Mpilwenhle, Noxolo, Nozi, Tesmin-Robyn, Thapelo, Ty Loner, and Zee.  Na rrowly missing out were Hope and Nandi.   Opening the live show was Mpilwenhle performing Amanda Black’s hit   Kahle , to unanimous praise from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo said: “You are living your name: impilo yinhle. You deserve to be where you are.”   JR Bogopa added: “Clearly, South Africa did not make a mistake. You were born for that stage.”   Next to be announced was Thapelo, who sang Celine Dion’s classic   All By Myself . The judges were happy with his performance, with Thembi Seete saying: “I know why Mzansi is falling in love with you – it’s because you are yourself. The approach you took to the song was perfect for you.”   Tesmin-Robyn sang Moneoa’s   More Than You , getting a lukewarm response from the judges. Somizi ca

Taking place at   Idols SA ’s new home, Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena, it was the competition’s first live show in front of a full house since the pandemic began – with over 2,300 people in the audience. The first voting show of the season also featured collaborations between contestants and some of the biggest stars in the music industry.    "It feels good to be back!” said host ProVerb as he introduced the first live show of Idols SA season 18, and – with electrifying performances that saw six of the top 12 take to the stage – he was on the money. Kicking things off was this season’s youngest singer, 18-year-old Zee, who performed a duet with Kelly Khumalo on her soaring hit  Empini . For her solo act, Zee sang the sexy  Surprise  by Chlöe. All three judges praised her solo performance, with Thembi Seete calling Zee’s delivery “beautiful”. While both JR Bogopa and Somizi Mhlongo also applauded her, Somizi felt that the teenager was intimidated by singing with a star the calibre of K

It’s official:   Idols SA   will be back for an impressive 18 th   season this year. Returning to the judges’ chair is fan favourite Somizi Mhlongo, and he will be joined by two new judges: the triple threat pop culture icon Thembi Seete and rapper-producer extraordinaire JR Bogopa. The award-winning, co-executive producer Tebogo 'ProVerb' Thekisho will return to host the music competition reality show for his 13 th  season.   Making a comeback to his seat as the most famous competition judge in the country, Somizi Mhlongo is a multitalented choreographer, reality TV star and actor whose  Idols SA  catchphrase ‘Whooo shem!’ is loved by many.   Known for his vibey energy, dramatic dress sense and honest critique as a judge, Mhlongo will dazzle our screens yet again as he ushers in a new era for the show and guides a new crop of talent.   An acclaimed actor, dancer and musician who has been part of South Africa’s pop culture fabric since the 1990s, Thembi Seete is known for her c