Idols SA Season 13

Idols SA season 13 took place in 2017, the winner was Paxton Fielies and the runner-up was Mthokozisi Ndaba.

It was hosted by ProVerb, the judges were Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi, and Somizi Mhlongo.

The season aired for four months from July to November 2017, and an episode of the show was broadcast every Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) at 17:00.

Idols SA Season 13 Guide

Host:ProVerb
Judges:Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi, Somizi Mhlongo
Musical Director & In-House Mentor:Donald
Winner:Paxton Fielies
Runner-up:Mthokozisi Ndaba
Grand Finale Venue:Carnival City
Original Network:Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161)
Start Date:Sunday 9 July 2017
End Date:Sunday 19 November 2017
Number of episodes:15
Idols SA Season 13 Judges, Somizi Mhlongo, Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi and presenter, ProVerb
Left to Right: Idols SA Season 13 Judges, Somizi Mhlongo, Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi, and presenter, ProVerb.

Idols SA Season 13 Auditions

Auditions for Idol SA Season 13 kicked off on Saturday 14 January 2017 and ended on Saturday 18 February 2017.

Audition dates and venues

The auditions were held in the following cities;

CityVenueDate
Cape TownGrandWest Casino & Entertainment WorldSaturday 14 January 2017
PretoriaThe State TheatreSaturday 21 January 2017
DurbanThe Playhouse in DowntownSaturday 28 January 2017
JohannesburgCarnival CitySaturday 4 February 2017
Presenter, ProVerb at the Idols SA Season 13 Durban Auditions
Idols SA Presenter, ProVerb at the season 13 auditions in Durban.

Due to widespread demand, the auditions were extended to three more cities: Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, and Polokwane. They are known as the Telkom Pop-Up auditions.

CityVenueDate
Port ElizabethThe Boardwalk CasinoSaturday 11 February 2017
BloemfonteinMimosa MallSunday 12 February 2017
PolokwaneCapricorn FM StudiosSaturday 18 February 2017

Finalists

Idols SA Season 13 Top 16 Contestants

The Idols SA Season 13 Top 16 contestants were revealed on Sunday 20 August 2017.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 16 Contestants
Idols SA Season 13 Top 16 contestants.
ContestantGenderHometown
Basetsana KolwaneFemaleKlerksdorp
Blessed MlangeniFemaleNelspruit
Botlhale PhoraMaleGa-Rankuwa
Christo DanielsMalePort Elizabeth
Faith MsibiFemaleWitbank
Gabi Du PlessisFemaleCape Town
Gugulethu “Gugu” ZuluFemaleDurban
Lindokuhle “Lindo” SitholeMaleMandeni
Minenhle “Minnie” NtuliFemaleKwaZulu-Natal
Mthokozisi NdabaMaleDurban
Nokuthula “Hadassah” MakhobaFemalePretoria
Nomthandazo “Tee” XabaFemaleDurban
Paxton FieliesFemaleCape Town
Phindile “Phindy” DubeFemaleDurban
Thapelo EsauFemaleVosloorus
Thokozile NdimandeFemalePretoria

Main Article: Idols SA Season 13 Top 16 Contestants

The Top 16 contestants were then divided into two groups, One and Two.

Group One

Group One contestants performed live on Sunday 27 August 2017.

Theme: “Break Out Hits”

Group Performance: Top 16 Group One performed “Thathi Sgubu” by Bongo Maffin

Guest Performer: Sands performed “Tigi

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Blessed“Promises” by Brenda FassieEliminated
Christo“Versace on Floor” by Bruno MarsAdvanced
Faith“Memeza” by Vusi NovaAdvanced
Gugu Zulu“There’s Music in the Air” by Letta MbuluEliminated
Lindo“Lifetime” by MaxwellAdvanced
Paxton“Here” by Alessia CaraAdvanced
Phindy“Chasing Pavements” by AdeleAdvanced
Thokozile“Dangerously in Love” by BeyonceAdvanced

Group Two

Group Two contestants performed live on Sunday 3 September 2017.

Theme: “Break Out Hits”

Group Performance: Top 16 Group Two performed “Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill

Guest Performer: Lady Zamar performed “Love is Blind” and “My Baby

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Basetsana“Umthwalo” by ZaharaEliminated
Botlhale“I Can’t Feel My Face” by The WeekndAdvanced
Gabi“Nobody Love” by Tori KellyEliminated
Hadassah“Golden” by Jill ScottEliminated
Minnie“Vulindlela” by Brenda FassieEliminated
Mthokozisi“I Wanna Know” by JoeAdvanced
Tee“Qinisela” by Kelly KhumaloAdvanced
Thapelo“Love and War” by Tamar BraxtonAdvanced

Idols SA Season 13 Top 10

The Idols SA Season 13 Top 10 contestants were revealed on Sunday 10 September 2017.

Performances Of The Evening:

  • Group One performed “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars
  • Group Two performed “Fantasy” by Black Box

Guest Performers:

  • Bhizer featuring Busiswa, S.C Gorna, and Trigger Bhepepe performed “Gobisiqolo
  • Vusi Nova performed “Ndikuthandile
  • Sun-El Musician and Samthing Soweto performed “Akanamali
  • B3nchMarQ
  • Donald and Tiwa Savage performed “Raindrops
Idols SA Season 13 Top 10 Contestants
Season 13 Top 10 contestants.

In order to book spots in the Top 9, the Top 10 contestants then performed a week later on Sunday 17 September 2017.

Theme: “Judges’ Choice”

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Mthokozisi“Love Me Now” by John LegendAdvanced
Tee“Hamba” by LiraAdvanced
Botlhale“Naninina” by Vusi NovaAdvanced
Thapelo“Ndawo Yami” by ZamajobeAdvanced
Lindo“Ordinary People” by John LegendAdvanced
Phindy“1 + 1” by BeyoncéAdvanced
Faith“Kulungile Baba” by Sfiso NcwaneAdvanced
Paxton“Side to Side” by Ariana GrandeAdvanced
Thokozile“I’m Going Down” by Mary J BligeEliminated
Christo“Never Too Much” by Luther VandrossAdvanced

Idols SA Season 13 Top 9

The Season 13 Top 9 contestants were revealed on Sunday 24 September 2017, they then performed live on this same day.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 9 Contestants
Season 13 Top 9 contestants.

Theme: “Paying Homage To The Greats”

Group Performance: Top 10 Contestants performed “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Botlhale“Superstar” by Luther VandrossAdvanced
Christo“I’ll Be There” by Michael JacksonAdvanced
Faith“Always and Forever” by Luther VandrossAdvanced
Lindo“I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin GayeAdvanced
Mthokozisi“Made to Love You” by Gerald LevertAdvanced
Paxton“Careless Whisper” by George MichaelAdvanced
Phindy“The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael JacksonAdvanced
Tee“Too Late For Mama” by Brenda FassieAdvanced
Thapelo“Weekend Special” by Brenda FassieEliminated

Idols SA Season 13 Top 8

The Top 8 contestants of season 13 were revealed on Sunday 1 October 2017, they then performed live on this same day.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 8 Contestants
Season 13 Top 8 contestants.

Theme: “Movie Soundtracks”

Group Performance: Top 9 Contestants (backed by Idols South Africa Band and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra) performed “September” by Kirk Franklin

Guest Performer: Sjava

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Lindo“Evergreen” by Luther VandrossAdvanced
Tee“Man In The Mirror” by Michael JacksonEliminated
Christo“I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie WonderAdvanced
Faith“No Woman No Cry” by Bob MarleyAdvanced
Mthokozisi“I Believe I Can Fly” by R. KellyAdvanced
Phindy“Everything I do” by Brain AdamsAdvanced
Botlhale“Say You,Say Me” by Lionel RichieAdvanced
Paxton“Over the rainbow” by Judy GarlandAdvanced

Idols SA Season 13 Top 7

Season 13’s Top 7 contestants were announced on Sunday 8 October 2017, they then went ahead to perform live on this same day.

Theme: “Showstopper”

Group Performance: Top 8 Contestants performed “24 Karat” by Bruno Mars

Guest Performers: DreamTeam

ContestantSong ChoiceResult
Botlhale“Never Let Me Go” by TressorAdvanced
Faith“What About Us?” by P!nkAdvanced
Christo“Post To Be” by Omarion Ft. Chris BrownEliminated
Paxton“Cheap Thrills” by SiaAdvanced
Lindo“Drag Me Down” by One DirectionAdvanced
Phindy“Wild Thoughts” by Dj Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson TillerAdvanced
Mthokozisi“Caiphus Song” by AKAAdvanced

Idols SA Season 13 Top 6

The Top 6 contestants of Season 13 were revealed Sunday 15 October 2017, they then performed live for a spot in the Top 5.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 6 Contestants
Season 13 Top 6 contestants.

Themes:
“Bring Back Love”
“How It Should Have Been Done”

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongResult
Botlhale“Let Me Love You” by Mario“Feel Good” by LiraAdvanced
Faith“No One” by Alicia Keys“Nomvula” by NathiAdvanced
Lindo“Step In The Name Of Love” by R. Kelly“Ndenzenjani” by NathiEliminated
Phindy“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston“Focus” by Ariana GrandeAdvanced
Mthokozisi“Incomplete” by Sisqo“Kum Nakum” by RingoAdvanced
Paxton“Listen” by Beyonce“Just The Way You Are” by Bruno MarsAdvanced

The Top 6 contestants and judge Unathi Nkayi were at the Edgars Court at Clearwater Mall on Friday 20 October 2017, from 18:00 to 20:00, for a fans meet and greet session.


Idols SA Season 13 Top 5

Season 13’s Top 5 contestants were announced on Sunday 22 October 2017, they then performed live on this same day.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 5 Contestants
Season 13 Top 5 contestants.

Themes:
“Old Made New”
“Inspirational Choir”

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongResult
Botlhale“Sedilaka” by The Soil“All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJoAdvanced
Faith“Next to Me” by Emeli Sande“I Believe in You” by JoeEliminated
Mthokozisi“The Storm is Over” by R. Kelly“So Sick” by Ne-YoAdvanced
Paxton“Stand Up for Love” by Destiny’s Child“Don’t Walk Away” by JadeAdvanced
Phindy“Butterfly” by Mariah Carey“Meet Me at the River” by Miriam MakebaAdvanced

Idols SA Season 13 Top 4

The Top 4 contestants were revealed on Sunday 29 October 2017, after which they performed live for a spot in the Top 3.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 4 Contestants
Season 13 Top 4 contestants.

Themes:
“The Year I Was Born”
“Contemporary Hits”

Group Performance: Top 5 Contestants performed “Freedom” by Pharrell Williams

Guest Performers: Killer Kau and Mbali performed “Tholukuthi Hey

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongResult
Botlhale“One Of Us” by Joan Osborne“One Call Away” by Charlie PuthAdvanced
Mthokozisi“It’s Hard To Say Goodbye” by Boyz II Men“What Do You Mean?” by Justin BieberAdvanced
Paxton“I Turn To You” by Christina Aguilera“In Common” by Alicia KeysAdvanced
Phindy“Sondela” by Ringo Madlingozi“Sorry” by BeyonceEliminated

Idols South Africa presenter, ProVerb, judge Randall Abrahams and the Top 4 contestants were at the Canvendish Court at Menlyn Mall on Friday 3 November 2017, from 18:00 to 20:00, for a meet and greet session with the fans.


Idols SA Season 13 Top 3

Season 13’s Top 3 contestants were announced on Sunday 5 November 2017, they then performed live.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 3 Contestants
Season 13 Top 3 contestants.

Themes:
“My Musical Idol”
“Duets”

Guest Performer: Okmalumkoolkat

ContestantMy Musical IdolDuetsResult
Paxton“Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees“Stay” by Rihanna Ft. Mikky Ekko (with Kyle Deutsch)Advanced
Mthokozisi“Nkosiyamakhosi” by Afro Traction“Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith & John Legend (with Thami)Advanced
Botlhale“You And I” by John Legend“Sokwenze Njani” by Naima K & Robbie Malinga (with Amanda Black)Eliminated

Top 3 London Trip

Following the live show, the top 3 immediately jetted off to London, the United Kingdom for a short holiday with Capitec Bank for three days whose highlights you can check out at: Day 1 of the London tour, Day 2 of the London tour, Day 3 of the London tour.

The top 3 contestants were also accompanied by Idols SA presenter ProVerb and his girlfriend Liesl Laurie. [ Check out photos of this lovely couple in London ]


Idols SA Season 13 Top 2

The Idols SA Season 13 top 2 (finalists) were revealed on Sunday 12 November 2017, with Mthokozisi Ndaba and Paxton Fielies advancing to the Grand Finale while Botlhale Phora left the show after performing his brand new single titled “Good Enough”.

Idols SA Season 13 Top 2 Contestants
Season 13 Top 2 contestants.

Themes:
“New Singles”
“Theatre Week”
“Favourite Song Of The Season”

Group Performance: Top 10 Contestants (minus Botlhale, Mthokozisi & Paxton) performed “Believer” by Imagine Dragons

Guest Performer: LaSauce performed “I Do

ContestantNew SinglesTheatre WeekFavorite Of The SeasonResult
Mthokozisi“Masithandane”“Mthande” by Musa“Kum Nakum” by RingoRunner-up
Paxton“Demonstrate”“American Boy” by Estelle“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Judy GarlandWinner
Botlhale“Good Enough”N/AN/A

Top 2 Music Videos’ Shoot

The Top 2 contestants, Mthokozisi Ndaba and Paxton Fieles shot music videos for their debut singles, “Masithandane” and “Demonstrate” respectively on Monday 13 November 2017.

Speaking after the video shoot, Mthokozisi spoke with enthusiasm that he had twenty people going back and forth on set and a stunning, love interest played by Kirsten Mohamed.

Mthokozisi also had a great deal of fun, zipping around the set in his Ford Edge.

Meanwhile, Paxton looked gorgeous, striking pose after pose and working the cameras while she sat atop a silver Mustang.

Click to Watch the music video for “Masithandane” by Mthokozisi Ndaba.

Click to Watch the music video for “Demonstrate” by Paxton Fielies.


Idols SA Season 13 Grand Finale

The Idols SA Season 13 Grand Finale took place on Sunday 19 November 2017, with the song choices being revealed on Friday 17 November 2017 two days before the final showdown.

From the dramatic set, resplendent in strobe and laser lights, to the black lacquered stage that made the Top 2 contestants look like they were gliding on water, Carnival City’s Big Top Arena was the perfect setting for the Grand Finale showdown along with a lineup of guest performers.

Performances

  • Paxton (accompanied by the Soweto Gospel Choir) : “Stand Up for Love” by Destiny’s Child
  • Mthokozisi (accompanied by the Soweto Gospel Choir) : “The Storm Is Over” by R. Kelly
  • Top 10 contestants : “Four Five Seconds” by Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney
  • Performances from DJ Tira & Destruction Boys, Tipcee, Naak MusiQ, Madness, Season 12 winner Noma, Somizi and Heavy K, Kwesta, TLT, ChianoSky, and KidX.
  • Donald and the Top 10 contestants : “Landela
  • Boom Shaka and TKZee also performed a medley of their cool Kwaito hits
  • Paxton and Mthokozisi duet : “Back To The Beach” remix by Kyle Deutsch & Shekhinah
  • Paxton – “Demonstrate

Idols SA Season 13 Winner and Runner-up Announcement

After a staggering 30 million-plus votes were cast in the Grand Finale week for the Top 2 contestants, Paxton Fielies was crowned as the winner of Idols SA Season 13 with Mthokozisi Ndaba being the runner-up.

This was also the Idols South Africa season of record-breaking votes, with 98 million votes recorded for the entire Season 13.

Paxton Fielies reacts after being announced as the Idols SA Season 13 winner
Grand Finale: Paxton Fielies reacts after being announced as the Idols SA Season 13 winner.
Paxton Fielies performs her debut single 'Demonstrate' after being crowned as the Idols SA Season 13 winner
Grand Finale: Paxton Fielies performs her debut single “Demonstrate” after being crowned as the Season 13 winner.

Along with being crowned the winner of Idols SA Season 13, Paxton Fielies walked away with a prize package worth R1,500,000.


Idols SA Season 13 Wooden Mic

The Wooden Mic winner of Idols SA Season 13 was Thabiso Msomi from Durban.

Idols SA Season 13’s Top 10 Wooden Mic contenders as chosen by the fans were;

  1. Thabiso Msomi
  2. Sithabiso Mkize
  3. Xolisa Butongo
  4. Sengiwakhile Mabaso
  5. Tamanda Zungu
  6. Thabatso Ledwaba
  7. UjuIwezinyosi Mthabiseni Masuku
  8. Modibe Modiba
  9. Njabulo Phewa
  10. Johanes Mbambo
Idols SA Season 13 Wooden Mic winner Thabiso Msomi
Season 13 Wooden Mic winner Thabiso Msomi.

Idols SA Season 13 Controversy

Paxton Fielies

After the Top 3 contestants Paxton Fielies, Botlhale Phora and Mthokozisi Ndaba released their debut singles on Sunday 12 November 2017, thousands of people especially South Koreans on social media, accused Paxton Fielies of plagiarizing her song titled “Demonstrate” from Korean K-Pop band, Rania.

However the Idols South Africa endorsed record label, Gallo Record Company, came out and defended Paxton by making it very clear that the contestant had not done anything wrong.

Gallo Record Company released a very clear statement saying that Paxton had recorded the original version of “Demonstrate” as written by Phil Bentley, Aimee Proal and Brian Kierulf, adding minor lyrical adaptations to make the song her own.

These changes were presented to all three composers in the USA, who collectively endorsed Paxton’s changes, supported her making the song her own and fully backed her version of the original song.

Main Article: Read Gallo Record Company’s Statement Defending Paxton On Her Version of “Demonstrate”

Mthokozisi Ndaba

At the end of the Grand Finale show, Mthokozisi immediately walked off the stage after Paxton Fielies was announced by ProVerb as the winner of Idols SA Season 13.

Mthokozisi didn’t even congratulate Paxton as he couldn’t deal with the loss.

Ndaba further refused to attend the mandatory MultiChoice/DSTV press conference after the Grand Finale, in addition to rejecting all requests for interviews.

As a result, he was criticized by fans of the show for behaving childishly and being a sore loser.

On Saturday 25 November 2017, Mthokozisi finally spoke for the first time since the Grand Finale, he apologized for behaving poorly because he didn’t win Idols South Africa and denied being a sore loser.

Mthokozisi wasn’t done yet, a young lady on social media then claimed that Ndaba had physically assaulted her on Friday 24 November 2017 in Braamfontein.

Neo Tsele, who was 20 years old at the time, shared photos of her battered and bruised face on Instagram on Saturday 25 November 2017, accusing Mthokozisi of being the culprit.

The Idols SA star then responded to the allegation by being surprised and denying any wrongdoing, he further released a statement urging his fans not to bully his accuser, but to rather let the law take its course.

Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo, a spokesperson for the Hillbrow Police Station confirmed that Mthokozisi was scheduled to appear in court on Monday 4 December 2017, on the assault charges leveled against him.

However, no further updates were ever released about the case.

On Monday 11 December 2017, Neo Tsele, Mthokozisi’s accuser revealed that the charges leveled against Nbada were withdrawn without her knowledge.

Twenty year old Tsele expressed her disappointment with the fact that Mthokozisi was let free.

Season chronology:
« ( Season 12 ) Previous | Next ( Season 14 ) »


READ NEXT:

Idols SA Winners: Where Are They Now?

Idols SA Viewership

Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date

American Idol 2023 Contestants