Idols SA Season 18 took place in 2022, the winner was Thapelo Molomo and the runner-up was Nozi Sibiya.
It was hosted by ProVerb, the judges were Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete, and JR Bogopa.
The season aired for four months from mid-July to mid-November 2022, an episode of the show was broadcast every Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) at 17:00.
Season Summary
| Hosted by: | ProVerb |
| Judges: | Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete, and JR Bogopa |
| Theme: | “Singing a Different Tune” |
| Winner: | Thapelo Molomo |
| Runner-up: | Nozi Sibiya |
| Original Network: | Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) |
| Start date: | Sunday 17 July 2022 |
| End date: | Sunday 13 November 2022 |
| Number of episodes: | 18 |
List of Contents
Idols SA Season 18 Sponsors
Idols SA Season 18 has a number of sponsors that are listed below;
- Standard bank
- Toyota
- Truworths
- Yamaha
- Spotify Africa
Idols SA Season 18 Judges
The Idols SA Season 18 judges were revealed on Wednesday 16 February 2022 during a press conference and media briefing event that was hosted by Idols SA presenter, ProVerb.
- Somizi Mhlongo
- Thembi Seete
- JR
Idols SA Season 18 Auditions
The Idols SA Season 18 online auditions opened at midnight on Sunday 23 January 2022 and closed at midnight on Saturday 5 February 2022.
Only 15,000 audition entries were accepted, on a first come first serve basis.
Online Audition judging then commenced in mid-February of 2022.
Idols SA Season 18 Top 12
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 12 Contestants were revealed in episode 6 on Sunday 21 August 2022.
| CONTESTANT | AGE | HOMETOWN | PLACE FINISHED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thapelo Molomo | 29 | Mokopane, Limpopo | Winner |
| Nozi Sibiya | 27 | Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal | Runner-up |
| Mpilwenhle Mokopu | 23 | Katlehong, Gauteng | 3rd |
| Ty Loner | 21 | Eldorado Park, Gauteng | 4th |
| Zee Arnolds | 18 | Cape Town, Western Cape | 5th |
| Noxolo Mthethwa | 25 | Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal | 6th |
| Kabelo Makhetha | 24 | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal | 7th |
| Ceejay Canvass | 24 | KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal | 8th |
| Tesmin-Robyn Khanye | 24 | Katlehong, Gauteng | 9th |
| Lerato Matsabu | 27 | Vaal, Gauteng | 10th |
| Nandi Ndathane | 21 | Diepkloof, Gauteng | 11th |
| Hope Mkhwanazi | 23 | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal | 12th |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 12 Group 1
Idols SA Season 18 Group 1 contestants of the Top 12 performed live in episode 7 on Sunday 28 August 2022.
Themes: “Duets with Mzansi Stars” and “Greatest Hits of Today”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zee | “Empini” with Kelly Khumalo | “Surprise” by Chlöe | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “Langa Linye” with Mduduzi Ncube | “Love Me More” by Sam Smith | Advanced |
| Hope | “Pretend” with Langa Mavuso | “Hrs and Hrs” by Muni Long | Eliminated |
| Mpilwenhle | “Phatha Kahle” with Presss | “Positions” by Ariana Grande | Advanced |
| Kabelo | “Ngam’khetha” with Nomfundo Moh | “For Tonight” by Giveon | Advanced |
| Tesmin-Robyn | “Pillow Talk” with Boohle | “Pressure” by Ari Lennox | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 12 Group 2
Idols SA Season 18 Group 2 contestants of the Top 12 performed live in episode 8 on Sunday 4 September 2022.
Themes: “Duets with Mzansi Stars” and “Greatest Hits of Today”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxolo | “Kuyenyukela” with Kelly Khumalo | “Jerome” by Lizzo | Advanced |
| Nandi | “Ngimnandi” with Boohle | “Enough” by Fantasia | Eliminated |
| Ceejay | “Isiginci” with Mduduzi Ncube | “Love Nwantiti” by CKay | Advanced |
| Lerato | “Soft Life” with Nomfundo Moh | “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat | Advanced |
| Ty Loner | “Cry No More” with Presss | “Last Last” by Burna Boy | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Mvula” with Langa Mavuso | “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 10
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 10 Contestants were revealed in episode 9 on Sunday 11 September 2022.
Over 7.5 million votes were cast by viewers over the course of the week.
Each of the Top 10 contestants also performed one song live.
Theme: “Spotify’s Soulful Sundays”
| CONTESTANT | SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Mpilwenhle | “Kahle” by Amanda Black | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “All by Myself” by Celine Dion | Advanced |
| Tesmin-Robyn | “More Than You” by Moneoa Moshesh | Advanced |
| Zee | “Jik’Izinto” by Zonke | Advanced |
| Kabelo | “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton | Advanced |
| Lerato | “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Tank | Eliminated |
| Ty Loner | “Thando” by Lloyd Cele | Advanced |
| Noxolo | “Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)” by Jazmine Sullivan | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Giving Myself” by Jennifer Hudson | Advanced |
| Ceejay | “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” by John Legend featuring Ludacris | Advanced |
Main Article: Idols SA Season 18 Top 10 Contestants’ Prizes
Main Article: Idols SA Season 18 Top 10 Contestants’ Voting Poll
Idols SA Season 18 Top 9
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 9 Contestants were revealed in episode 10 on Sunday 18 September 2022.
Each of the Top 9 contestants also performed one song live.
Theme: “History of Music in South Africa”
| CONTESTANT | SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Noxolo | “Shebeleza” by Joe Mafela | Advanced |
| Kabelo | “Ekuseni” by Ringo Madlingozi | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Nomalanga” by Caiphus Semenya | Advanced |
| Ceejay | “Send Me” by Hugh Masekela | Advanced |
| Tesmin-Robyn | “Siyaya Phambili” by Stimela | Eliminated |
| Ty Loner | “Scatterlings Of Africa” by Johnny Clegg & Juluka | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Nizalwa Ngobani” by Thandiswa Mazwai | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “Papa” by Sankomota | Advanced |
| Zee | “Mama I’m Sorry” by Brenda Fassie | Advanced |
Main Article: Idols SA Season 18 Top 9 Contestants’ Voting Poll
Idols SA Season 18 Top 8
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 8 Contestants were revealed in episode 11 on Sunday 25 September 2022.
Each of the Top 8 contestants also performed one song live.
Theme: “Parents’ High School Crush”
| CONTESTANT | SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Nozi | “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack | Advanced |
| Ceejay | “Mas’thokoze” by Mafikizolo | Eliminated |
| Zee | “I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You” by UB40 | Advanced |
| Kabelo | “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross | Advanced |
| Ty Loner | “Can You Stand the Rain” by New Edition | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “Let It Be” by The Beatles | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Hero” by Mariah Carey | Advanced |
| Noxolo | “Miss You Like Crazy” by Natalie Cole | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 7
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 7 contestants were revealed in episode 12 on Sunday 2 October 2022.
Theme: “Showstopper”
Group performance: Top 8 contestants performed “Get Me Bodied” by Beyoncé Featuring Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Solange Knowles.
Guest performer: Robot Boii performed “Location” and “Salary Salary”
| CONTESTANT | SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|
| Kabelo | “Yeah!” by Usher Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris | Eliminated |
| Noxolo | “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “Di Boya Limpopo” by Master KG Featuring Zanda Zakuza and Makhadzi | Advanced |
| Zee | “Grown Woman” by Beyoncé | Advanced |
| Ty Loner | “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 6
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 6 contestants were revealed in episode 13 on Sunday 9 October 2022.
Themes: “Lifesong” and “Joyous Celebration”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zee | “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera | “Zuliphathe Kahle” with Joyous Celebration | Advanced |
| Noxolo | “We Were Here” by Simi | “My Help” with Joyous Celebration | Eliminated |
| Ty Loner | “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson | “Who Am I” with Joyous Celebration | Advanced |
| Nozi | “One Night Only” by Jennifer Hudson | “Wenzile” with Joyous Celebration | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson | “Ndinzel’Uncedo Hymn 377” with Joyous Celebration | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “I Look to You” by Whitney Houston | “Hallelujah Nkateko” with Joyous Celebration | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 5
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 5 contestants were revealed in episode 14 on Sunday 16 October 2022.
Nearly 14 million votes were cast by the viewers to select the top 5.
At this point, a total of 52 million votes had been cast throughout the season so far.
Themes: “Babyface’s Songbook” and “Local Chart Toppers”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zee | “Breathe Again” by Toni Braxton | “Abalele” by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku | Eliminated |
| Ty Loner | “The Color Of Love” by Boyz II Men | “Mgani” by A-Reece | Advanced |
| Thapelo | “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men | “Sponky Ponky” by Bayete and Jabu Khanyile | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Never Gonna Let You Go” by Faith Evans | “Asibe Happy” by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa featuring Ami Faku | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Another Sad Love Song” by Toni Braxton | “Dali Nguwe” by Wanitwa Mos and Master KG featuring Nkosazana Daughter, Basetsana and Obeey Amor | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 4
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 4 contestants were revealed in episode 15 on Sunday 23 October 2022.
Themes: “New School Mzansi Hits” and “How It Should Have Been Done”
Group performance: Top 5 contestants performed “How Deep Is Your Love?”
Guest performers: De Mthuda, Sino Msolo, and Da Muziqal Chef performed “Jola”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mpilwenhle | “Khusela” by Kabza De Small featuring Msaki | “Jealous” by Labrinth | Advanced |
| Ty Loner | “Selema (Po Po)” by Musa Keys and Loui | “You & I (Nobody in the World)” by John Legend | Eliminated |
| Thapelo | “Seasons” by Lloyiso | “Ndikuthandile” by Vusi Nova | Advanced |
| Nozi | “Thando” by Mvzzle featuring Zammy | “Listen” by Beyoncé | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 3
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 3 contestants were revealed in episode 16 on Sunday 30 October 2022.
Themes: “Divas and Divos”, “My Audition Song” and “Judges’ Choice”
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | THIRD SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nozi | “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. | “Try A Little Tenderness” by Aretha Franklin | “Rise Up” by Andra Day | Advanced |
| Mpilwenhle | “Ke Mo Afrika” by Maleh | “Angel of Mine” by Monica | “A Long Walk” by Jill Scott | Eliminated |
| Thapelo | “Esphambanweni” by Kelly Khumalo | “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Michael Bolton | “So Amazing” by Luther Vandross | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 18 Top 2
The Idols SA Season 18 Top 2 contestants were revealed in episode 17 on Sunday 6 November 2022.
Themes: “New singles”, “Stripped-down Mzansi classics” and “Favourite song of the season”
Group performance: The 7 eliminated contestants of Idols SA Season 18 performed “Paris” by Q-Mark and TpZee featuring Afriikan Papi
Guest performers: Ndoni Mseleku performed “Angfuni Omunye”, Musa Keys, Konke, and Chley performed a medley of “M’nike” and “Selema (Po Po)”.
| CONTESTANT | FIRST SONG | SECOND SONG | THIRD SONG | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thapelo | “Phanda” | “Thanayi” by Hugh Masekela | “Let It Be” by The Beatles | Winner |
| Nozi | “Idliso” | “Moments Away” by Mango Groove | “Giving Myself” by Jennifer Hudson | Runer-up |
Idols SA Season 18 Finale
The Idols SA Season 18 finale took place on Sunday 13 November 2022 in episode 18 of the season.
Performers
- AKA
- Oskido
- Costa Titch
- Berry
- D’banj
- Idols SA judges, Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete, and JR Bogopa.
FAQs
Where is Idols SA Season 18 being held?
Idols SA Season 18 in 2022 is being held at the Heartfelt Arena in Gauteng.
Who is the winner of Idols SA Season 18?
Thapelo Molomo, a 29-year-old South African Police Service psychologist from Mokopane, Limpopo is the winner of Idols SA Season 18 in 2022.
How much money does the winner of Idols SA Season 18 get?
The winner of Idols SA Season 18 took home a R1 million cash prize from Standard Bank, Spotify, and Mzansi Magic.
READ NEXT:
› Idols SA Contestants’ Voting Numbers
Nozi
Thapelo
Annah
Mpilo
Mpilo
Mpilo
Mpiloenhle
Mpilooooo…
Mpilo…
Mpilo
Mpilo is a flawless Queen…love her