Idols SA Season 18

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

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.

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› Idols SA Winners: Where Are They Now?

› Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date