The search for the next South African Idol is on and after a country-wide search, hopefuls are giving the best of what they can offer to win hearts of South Africans. Over the past years there has never been a black idol and with Lloyd Cele very close to winning season 6, becoming a runner up losing to Elvis Blue. With season 8 underway, it’s still very early to tell but with the many black hopefuls on the show history could be made. Theatre week is almost over and the judges are under immense pressure to deliver and make the best decisions as to who they will send packing and who will to stay in the competition.
The charismatic, Durban pastor’s kid Khaya Mthethwa who blew the judges’ socks off at his first audition performing Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars. Khaya gave yet another amazing performance that gave both the audience and viewers goosebumps as he sang Nicki Minaj’s Super Bass, which was so beautifully arranged. I’m pretty sure Nicki herself would vow never to sing the song again after hearing what a great a job Khaya did with it. He is certainly one of the few to make it to the top 5. Having worked with music heavyweights like Joyous Celebration, Lindelani Mkhize and Ntokozo Mbambo amongst others this could really be his time to shine as a solo artist. Hopefully, South Africa won’t only campaign on social networks but actually sms and vote for him.
Another force to be reckoned with is Maryke Buffel from Cape Town, who left most longing for more after beautifully and effortlessly delivering Mafikizolo’s Emlanjeni. Notoriously mean judge Randall Abrahams had a huge smile on his face and said to her “pity soul isn’t bought even on credit card, its either you have it or you don’t have it. You my dear you have it!” Its really not often that he is pleased, so it really shows how this young lady is in to win it. During group stages she shone and is the only remaining member from her group after a rather unpleasant delivery of Adele’s Someone Like You from her group mates one being the arrogant yet good looking Thulani from Durban. Andiswa ‘Andie’ Yohane 23 years old from Cape Town was one of the few to ruin their chances of making it to the top. She was ridiculous, scary and just downright annoying. Wearing denim shorts, leopard print stockings, a peach blazer and a crop top showing off her belly button and her beautiful thick dreadlocks nicely styled! I’m still trying to recover from that shocking performance, she was shouting not singing it was horrible. Sun City must have shown her things she didn’t know existed or rather the pressure to impress got the better of her.
Port Elizabeth born, Cape Town resident Thabisa ‘Tabz’ Mhlakulwana had the most embarrassing moment on stage performing Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain. She forgot the lyrics to the song and she panicked, judge Unathi Msengana had to use gestures encouraging her not to give up. She picked up the song but still the lyrics were not on point. Apparently she didn’t know the song and struggled to learn it during rehearsals. I think deep down she somehow knows that she won’t stick around for long as the competition gets tougher. Durban born Shekinah Donnell and Mpumalanga’s very own farm girl 22 year old Nozipho Mngomezulu stand a very good chance of winning it and the judges seem to think so too. Actresses Tshepi Mashego and Candida Mosoma both of Rhythm City fame are some of the black ladies with great potential. I still can’t understand what was so remarkable about Sihle’s performance that Randal even went as far as showering her with a standing ovation. for her Guy had multiple orgasms which left me and many others rather puzzled, well it could be my lack of musical knowledge that I still don’t get what the big deal was about.
Award winning singing sensation Zahara’s backing vocalist Obakeng, blessed with a sweet husky and very unique voice is one favorite of mine but I have to agree with Randall his blue sunglasses are to be thrown away as they make him look stupid. Dumi from Kempton Park, Johannesburg not only sings beautifully but looks good too! Proper motivation for the ladies. Well, enough of my lustful rants.With the sufficiency of melanin in the competition, it would be quite disgruntling to have a white winner again this year. Hopefully the black folks will not text just to complain about racism but vote for the amazing talent they have. After all this might just be the year South Africa has a black idol.
Bonnie is an intern at Jucy Africa, she is into fashion, music and all things beautiful. On twitter she is @BonnieMes
