Fashioning Modern Africanism

Last night Idols SA  season 19 contestants brought romance as they sang songs that make weddings fun, d espite the pressure being the most intense it’s been so far, this week’s  Idols SA  edition was a celebratory one, as the newly minted top 9 hit the stage in their wedding best. Following viewer votes, making it to the  Idols SA  season 19 top 9, in no particular order, were: Niikiey, Lungelo, Faith, Nkosi, Thando, Princess, Thabo, Envic, and Sena. Sadly, it was time for Lungile to say goodbye to  Idols SA . The theme saw the top 9 perform songs from the ultimate South African wedding playlist, bringing i-step to the florally decked-out Mosaïek Teatro stage.  Niikiey kicked off the show with Malaika’s  Mmatswale , to praise from the judges. Somizi Mhlongo had career words of advice: “Do you want to make a lot of money in music? Then this is your genre, mntwan’am. It was your concert.” Next to take the stage was Lungelo, who took on Etta James’  At Last . The judges loved her performa

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

In the most brutal day of theatre week history, 66 Idols SA contestants saw their journey to stardom cut short on day one as the judges picked the best from the good. The open audition for season 17 had seen more than 100 Idols hopefuls make it to theatre week, but the jubilation was short-lived as the pressure took its toll on the contestants. Judges Randall Abrahams, Somizi Mhlongo and Unathi Nkayi made it clear that lukewarm performances were not going be tolerated. Day one of theatre week comprised of chorus line auditions accompanied by a pianist, with the Idols hopefuls divided according to the song they had selected. The audition songs included Kelly Khumalo’s  ‘Uthando’  and Amanda Black’s  ‘Separate’ . “Too many people forgot their lyrics and the arrangement of the song,” said Unathi, reflecting on day one of theatre week’s performances. Randall was equally disappointed. He said, “One song, that is all everyone had to learn and yet so many of them failed. If you fail at that,

The fourth and final day of the judges auditions for season 17 of Idols SA brought with it another day of impressive auditions, peppered with a good dose of humour, tears and nerves.  This means 33 more auditionees from the final day join 75 others as they advance to theatre week, bringing the total number of golden tickets to 108. Joining Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo as a guest judge was Zwai Bala. The award-winning singer, producer and director started his day by heading to the piano to give his fellow judges an impromptu, albeit brief performance.   The real fun began with the first audition of the day. While 30-year-old Sizakele “Mr Siza” from Mthatha performed a rendition of Margaret Singana’s  ‘Mama Tembu’s Wedding’  to give judges an upbeat start to the day, his journey to fame ended before it could even start as he couldn’t clinch the coveted golden ticket to theatre week.   Read about tears of joy and balloons on stage as idols hopefuls audition for a spot

Zwai Legendary Kwaito artist, producer and musical director Zwai Bala and renowned singer, producer and Member of Parliament Ringo Madlingozi are among the guest judges as the popular talent search show   Idols SA   returns for its 17 th   season this Sunday. Ringo The much anticipated return of the IdolsSA, which attracted a record 15 000 online entrants, will heat up viewers’ living room this winter as  Idols SA  hopefuls belt it out to impress the guest judges as well as the show’s resident judges. Reality TV star, musician and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo, musician, radio and TV personalities Unathi Nkayi and Randall Abrahams, Rapper, radio and TV personality and the show’s co-executive producer Proverb also returns as the show’s host. Idols SA  will start with the airing of all online auditions on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) this Sunday, 11 July 2021 at 17:30. Somizi “We are excited that South Africa’s most-loved talent search show ,  Idols SA ,  returns this Sunday to enterta