Entertainment

FS singers earn Top 10 spot on Idols

Two Free State singers have secured a Top 10 spot on South African Idols.

Sibongile ‘Bongi’ Mtambo from Welkom and Boitumelo ‘Be’ Mohutsioa from Mangaung earned themselves sufficient votes to see them through to the next stage.

Unfortunately, though, after two weeks of exceptional performances, it was the end of the road for six of the contestants as the Top 10 was announced. 

Fans said goodbye to Zahn-Reece, Qhawe, Ethan, Dee, Jerodine, and Melanin, who all did not secure enough votes to make it through to the next round.

The Top 10, as chosen by the voters, is made up of ZanoThando, Brandon, Succedor, Mr. Music, Zama, Ntokozo, Be, Bongi, Jooma, and Ndoni.

Of course, there were surprises, with judge Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung saying there are people in the Top 10 that he did not expect to make it through.

The other judges; Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi said they were glad that they did not have to be the ones voting.

“We give the comments about the singing, South Africans fall in love with the voices,” Randall said.

Says Nomsa Philiso, the director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net: “The fans have spoken, but with the level of talent we have this year, I know it was not an easy decision to make”

She noted, “I am glad that this is not the end of the road for the eliminated contestants. Idols has always prided itself on being the launchpad for new talent, so I know this is not the last we are going to see these exceptional singers. Our guest performances tonight were testament to that.”

She added: “For the Top 10, the competition is only going to get tougher going forward and it will be up to them to prove they have what it takes to be the next SA Idol.”

Next week, viewers can look forward to more performances from the Top 10 contestants, following which another round of voting will resume. But for this week, there will be no voting, giving fans a chance to reflect on their favourites’ past performances.

Free State MEC for sport, arts, culture, and recreation Limakatso Mahasa said, “The department is proud to witness ‘Be’ and ‘Bongi’ taking their respective spots in the Top 16 of South African Idols. Their ascension to this elite level will surely give them new audiences nationally and internationally, thus helping them build their musical careers as artists.”

By: Thapelo Molebatsi