Publications
Partners
The Idols SA season 18 finale is just seven days away, and the best singers have made the cut after thousands of hopefuls gave it their best shot and weeks of live performances forming part of this year's dynamic season.
Nozipho Sibiya and Thapelo Molomo were announced as the top two finalists of season 18 and will battle out for the winner's spot on Sunday.
READ: Race to Idols top 3 heats up
It was all joy accompanied by screams and celebrations when the top two were announced at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Sunday. This took place after the top three had introduced South Africa to their debut singles, which they recorded the previous week. Somizi Mhlongo decided to play devil’s advocate when giving Molomo feedback.
“It’s one of those songs you will look back on and say, yoh, Idols sala badlala ngathi,” said Mhlongo after he apologised to fellow judge Thabo "JR" Bogopa for advising him to be nice to the contestants if he did not like their songs. Idols SA judge Thembi Seete said she felt as though she needed to listen to the song again for her to thoroughly enjoy it.
The three judges were all impressed by Sibiya’s Afro-soul single Idliso. Mhlongo said:
Sadly, it was the end of the road for 23-year-old Mpilwenhle Mokopu, but at least she got to perform her vibrant amapiano single, Ngiyazifela. She had everyone in the arena singing and dancing along and left Mhlongo speechless.
All three judges were impressed. Bogopa said he would forever remain a fan, with Seete saying:
Mokopu said making it to the top three was the biggest compliment for her because she was insecure about her talent.
“(During) Theatre week and auditions, I saw people who could legit sing, and I thought I did not stand a chance. I still do not believe that I made it this far. I saw my growth in this competition, and that really meant a lot to me,” she said.
READ: Idols SA: Six reasons Thapelo will make it to top two
Musa Keys, Ndoni, Konke, as well as other previously eliminated contestants who were part of the top 10 also graced the Idols SA stage and gave amazing performances.
The winner will walk away with just over R1 million cash, a Toyota Starlet, a fashion voucher and their live show outfits, all to the value of R100,000. They will also win R85 000 worth of musical equipment and a recording contract.
READ: Tsotsi star Terry Pheto and former lotto boss implicated in fraud
The two finalists who remained standing sang for viewer's votes for the last time, starting with Molomo’s take on Hugh Masekela’s Thanayi, and closed off his performances with his favourite song of the season, The Beatles’ Let It Be. Sibiya performed Mango Groove’s Moments Away, as well as Jennifer Hudson’s Giving Myself.
The finale will have performances by rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, Costa Tsobanoglou known as Costa Titch, Osca Oskido Mdlongwa, and season 17 winner Berry Trytsman, as well as popular Nigerian superstar D’Banj.
