Fashioning Modern Africanism

As judge JR Bogopa said, it’s no longer about proving that they can sing – contestants must show that they have what it takes to win it all.  Making up the season 18 top 4 are: Mpilo, Nozi, Thapelo and Ty Loner. Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to Zee. Before they were announced in the top 4, the five contestants kicked things off with a group performance, re-imagining PJ Morton’s  How Deep Is Your Love  in front of an enthusiastic full house at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena. This was followed by an electrifying guest performance from De Mthuda, Da Muziqal Chef and Sino Msolo with the amapiano megahit  Jola .  Mpilo was first to perform, taking on  Khusela  by Kabza De Small and Msaki.  Thembi Seete said: “I admire the discipline and control you have with your vocals. It was a very hard song, but you held it down.” Mpilo’s next song, later in the show, was  Jealous  by Labrinth, under the theme ‘How it should have been done’ – contestants taking on Wooden Mic performances and giving them

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

There is a new twist in this year’s search for the next  Idols SA  winner – season 18’s live performances will kick off with 12 contestants vying for the top spot as opposed to the usual top 10. This is following a pressure-filled and gruelling few weeks for contestants, who have made it through the famously tough theatre week The top 12 were announced in tonight’s episode, a two-hour show that showcased the highly impressive top 32 performances – evidence of the tough competition contestants faced. Making it even tougher was the surprise reveal that, instead of the traditional top 16 at this stage of the show, this year’s competition would cut the number down to 12, who would then perform in the live shows starting next week.  The judges – Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete and JR Bogopa – have done their bit: from Sunday 28 August, it’s in viewers’ hands, where votes will determine who stays and who goes home. Without further ado, here are the top 12 contestants for  Idols SA  season 18. C