Thapelo and Nozi announced as Idols SA’s top 2

With over 18.5 million votes cast this week, the competition brings the season viewer vote tally to an incredible 100 million.

The penultimate show featured electrifying performances from Musa Keys and Konke singing amapiano hits ‘M’nike’ and ‘Selema (Po Po)’. Before the top two were announced, the three contestants debuted their Kalawa Jazmee-produced solo singles.

Mpilo performed her funky, amapiano-inspired love jam ‘Ngiyazifela’, which producer Oskido described as “something different and fresh”.

All three judges were impressed, with Thembi Seete saying: “We all know you can sing, but what blew me away was the choreography, attitude and confidence on stage. You are on another level. What a beautiful song.”

Next, Thapelo performed his up-tempo, December-ready jam ‘Phanda’ – a song Oskido said he “had to think about which direction to take.” While not all the judges were fully impressed, JR said he was happy to see Thapelo’s fun side.

Regarding Nozi’s debut solo single ‘Idliso’, Oskido said the production team “decided to do more of an Afro-soul track”. The judges praised Nozi’s performance of the catchy heartbreak song, with Somizi Mhlongo saying: “It’s definitely up your alley, you really gave it your heart.”

The previously eliminated top seven contestants – CeeJay, Kabelo, Lerato, Noxolo, Tesmin-Robyn, Ty Loner, and Zee – performed the Q-Mark, TpZee and Afriikan Papi hit ‘Paris’. Season 16 top five contestant Ndoni also took the stage, performing Angfuni Omunye.

The top two sang for viewer votes for the last time, starting with Thapelo’s take on Hugh Masekela’s ‘Thanayi’, before he later performed his song of the season, The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’.

Somizi compared Thapelo to soul legends Patti LaBelle and Phil Perry. “Their vocal affections go high. It is natural to them, and so it is to you. So, if someone says you scream or you shout, they are not your target market. It’s fine. Maybe your loud is too expensive for them.”

Nozi took on Mango Groove’s ‘Moments Away’, before later performing her song of the season, Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Giving Myself’.

JR had this to say: “You can hardly put a foot wrong. I’m a sucker for a female vocalist with a nice range and with colour. Whether you win the competition or not, you have won South Africa’s heart.”

As the final vote of the season, this week’s voting will be extended until Thursday 10 November at 10pm.

Months after thousands auditioned and weeks into the spectacular live shows that have brought us some of the most memorable performances in the show’s history, the Idols SA season 18 finale is finally here.

Before the winner is crowned, next week’s episode will give us a final top 10 performance, as well as guest appearances from South African rappers AKA and Costa Titch, Oskido, season 17 winner Berry and Nigerian superstar D’Banj.

Alongside the Idols SA season 18 crown, next week the winner will walk away with an impressive prize haul of over R1 million cash, made up of R350 000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account (sponsored by Old Mutual), R300 000 from Spotify and R350 000 from Mzansi Magic. He or she will also get access to a Standard Bank wealth manager, a Toyota Starlet, a fashion voucher from Truworths and their live show outfits valued at R100 000, musical equipment from Yamaha worth R85 000 and a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee Records.

Tickets to the Idols SA live shows are on sale at Computicket. Interested attendees can purchase tickets for the live shows here. Idols SA can be viewed on DStv channel 161 on Sundays from 5.30pm CAT. For more information, visit the Idols SA official website.