Idols SA Season 7

Idols South Africa Season 7 took place in 2011, the winner was Dave van Vuuren and the runner-up was Mark Haze.

The judges returned with the addition of Unathi Nkayi in the place of Marah Louw and were supported by a guest judge in every casting city.

After the auditions, callbacks were held in Sun City for the golden ticket holders.

After the theatre, group, and special guest ‘The Parlotones’ rounds, the final number of contestants was brought down to 16.

Season Summary

Host:ProVerb
Judges:Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi, and Gareth Cliff
Winner:Dave van Vuuren
Runner-up:Mark Haze
Grand Finale Venue:Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg
Grand Finale Duration:90 minutes
Original Network:M-Net and Mzansi Magic
Start Date:Sunday 5 June 2011
End Date:Tuesday 4 October 2011

Auditions

Season 7 auditions were kicked off in February 2011 and took place in the following cities:

Audition DateAudition CityAudition VenueGuest JudgeEpisode Air Date
Saturday 12 February 2011Cape Town, Western CapeCape Town International Convention CentreDanny K5 June 2011
Saturday 26 February 2011Polokwane, LimpopoPeter Mokaba StadiumYvonne Chaka Chaka12 June 2011
Saturday 12 March 2011Durban, Kwazulu NatalMoses Mabhida StadiumKurt Darren19 June 2011
Saturday 26 March 2011Soweto, GautengDobsonville StadiumHHP26 June 2011
Saturday 2 April 2011Johannesburg, GautengMontecasinoHHP3 July 2011
Idols SA Presenter ProVerb and the Season 7 contestants who made it through to the Theatre Round at Sun City
Idols SA Presenter ProVerb and the Season 7 contestants who made it through to the Theatre Round at Sun City.

Finals

Top 16

The Top 16 contestants were revealed on Sunday 17 July 2011 with 14 of them guaranteed a spot in the Top 15, the judges were however unable to decide who the 15th and final spot of the Top 15 should go to.

The judges then decided to allow viewers to choose and vote between the last two contestants Josslynn Hlenti and Kerry Sanssoucie who they wanted to see in the Top 15, the voting lines opened at the end of Sunday’s show (17 July 2011) and closed on Monday night (18 July 2011) at 10 p.m.

The voting results were revealed on Tuesday 19 July 2011 and Kerry Sanssoucie was chosen by the majority of the viewers to take up the last place in the Top 15.

Main Article: Idols SA Season 7 Top 16 Contestants & Their Profiles

Top 15

The Top 15 contestants performed a song of their own choice, the show aired on Sunday 24 July 2011 and viewers had the week to vote for their Top 10.

ContestantAgeHometownSongResult
Dene Vorster16Roodepoort“Bad Romance” by Lady GagaSafe
Erin Fourie27Hilton“All These Things That I’ve Done” by The KillersSafe
Mark Haze28Cape Town“Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ RosesSafe
Freddie Van’Dango22Johannesburg“The Scientist” by ColdplaySafe
Lefa Pike29Kimberly“Valerie” by Mark Ronson & Amy WinehouseSafe
Crushanda Forbes23Cape Town“Alone” by HeartSafe
Phaksy Mngomezulu20Empangeni“Broken Strings” by James MorrisonSafe
Dave van Vuuren21Johannesburg“With or Without You” by U2Safe
Noluthando Meje24Cape Town“Perfect” by PinkSafe
Kelly Fortuin21Cape Town“Mercy” by DuffySafe
Kerry Sanssoucie22Johannesburg“Don’t Speak” by No DoubtEliminated
Chloe Geldenhuys16Cape Town“Raise Your Glass” by PinkEliminated
Mandla Simelane27Soweto“Somebody to Love” by Justin BieberEliminated
Kahludi Malele29Klipgat“Lazy” by Bruno MarsEliminated
Sibusisiwe Jali19Durban“Firework” by Katy PerryEliminated

Finalists

Idols SA Season 7 Top 10 contestants
Idols SA season 7 finalists (Top 10 contestants).

NOTE: ages stated at the time of contest

ContestantAgeHometownVoted OffSpectacular Theme
Noluthando Meje24Cape Town8 Aug 2011Radio Chart Toppers
Phaksy Mngomezulu20Empangeni16 Aug 2011Homebrew
Dene Vorster16Roodepoort30 Aug 2011Gospel
Erin Fourie27Hilton30 Aug 2011Gospel
Kelly Fortuin21Cape Town6 Sep 2011Showstopper
Lefa Pike29Kimberly13 Sep 2011Rock
Freddie Van’Dango22Johannesburg20 Sep 2011Grammy-Nominated songs
Crushanda Forbes23Cape Town27 Sep 2011Top Threes Terrific Trio
Mark Haze28Cape TownRunner-upFinale
Dave van Vuuren21JohannesburgWinnerFinale

Top 10

The Top 10 performance show was recorded live on Friday 5 August 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 7 August 2011. The results show was aired live on Tuesday 9 August 2011.

Theme: “Radio Chart Toppers”

Guest Performers: The Black Hotels, Sindi Nene (Idols SA season 6’s third place)

Guest Judge: Ziyon (Liquideep)

ContestantSongResult
Mark Haze“Born This Way” by Lady GagaSafe
Freddie Van’Dango“Human” by The KillersSafe
Noluthando Meje“Mama Do” by Pixie LottEliminated
Erin Fourie“Hey Ya!” by OutkastSafe
Lefa Pike“Grace Kelly” by MikaBottom two
Dene Vorster“Someone Like You” by AdeleSafe
Phaksy Mngomezulu“How You Remind Me” by NickelbackSafe
Kelly Fortuin“Leave Right Now” by Will YoungSafe
Crushanda Forbes“My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly ClarksonBottom three
Dave van Vuuren“Sex On Fire” by Kings Of LeonSafe
Guest judge Ziyon from Liquideep at the Idols SA Season 7 Top 10 Show
Top 10 show guest judge, Ziyon from Liquideep is pictured as he laughs at a contestant’s performance.

Top 9

The Top 9 performance show was recorded live on Friday 12 August 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 14 August 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 16 August 2011. Guest Judge Cofield Mundi performed during the results show and sang a song she specially composed for Idols South Africa.

Idols SA Season 7 Top 9 contestants
Season 7 Top 9 contestants.

Theme: “Homebrew”

Guest Judge: Cofield Mundi

ContestantSongResult
Erin Fourie“Fine Again” by Saran GasBottom two
Crushanda Forbes“Why” by Garth Taylor
Mark Haze“Shallow Waters” by Just Jinjer
Dave van Vuuren“Blue Eyes” by Springbok Nude Girls
Lefa Pike“Too Late For Mama” by Brenda FassieBottom three
Freddie Van’Dango“Against All Odds” by aKing
Phaksy Mngomezulu“I Want You” by LoyisoEliminated
Kelly Fortuin“I’d Like” by Freshly Ground
Dene Vorster“Afrikaans” by Flash Republic ft. Foto Na Dans
Judge Randall Abrahams at the Idols SA Season 7 Top 9 Show
Judge Randall Abrahams is pictured giving his judgment on a contestant’s performance at the Top 9 Show.

Top 8

The Top 8 contestants were mentored in the finer points of R’n’B by South African legend Loyiso Bala, who performed with them as a special guest artist.

The Top 8 performance show was recorded live on Friday 19 August 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 21 August 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 23 August 2011.

Theme: “R’n’B In All Its Diversity”

Guest Performer & Mentor: Loyiso Bala

ContestantSongResult
Kelly Fortuin“Rock with You” by Michael Jackson“Saved”
Dave van Vuuren“Sexual Healing” by Marvin GayeSafe
Dene Vorster“Voice Within” by Christina AguileraBottom two
Mark Haze“Just The Way You Are” by Bruno MarsSafe
Erin Fourie“Halo” by BeyoncéSafe
Lefa Pike“Ordinary People” by John LegendSafe
Crushanda Forbes“I Learned from the Best” by Whitney HoustonBottom three
Freddie Van’Dango“Rehab” by Amy WinehouseSafe

NOTE: Kelly Fortuin received the least amount of votes this week and she was supposed to be eliminated from the show but the judges used their power and saved her, therefore no contestant was eliminated this week.

Top 8

Once again the Top 8 contestants took to the stage after Kelly Fortuin was saved by the judges.

The Top 8 got a little help from the Mzansi Youth Choir, who provided the backing vocals for the Idols. James Blunt also performed during the show.

The Top 8 performance show was recorded live on Friday 19 August 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 21 August 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 23 August 2011. Two contestants were eliminated, due to the judges using their one safe vote the week before.

Idols SA Season 7 Top 8 contestants
Season 7 Top 8 contestants.

Theme: “Mzansi Youth Choir”

Backing Vocals: Mzansi Youth Choir

Guest Performer: James Blunt

Guest Judge: Chante Moore

ContestantSongResult
Crushanda Forbes“I Believe I Can Fly” by R. KellySafe
Erin Fourie“Put A Little Love In Your Heart” by Jackie DeShannonEliminated
Dene Vorster“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie WilsonEliminated
Freddie Van’Dango“Forget You” by Cee Lo GreenSafe
Kelly Fortuin“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by Aretha Franklin & George MichaelSafe
Dave van Vuuren“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & GarfunkelSafe
Lefa Pike“Lean on Me” by Bill WithersSafe
Mark Haze“Somebody To Love” by QueenSafe

Top 6

The Top 6 contestants take to the stage after Erin Fourie and Dene Vorster were voted off the previous week in a double elimination.

The Top 6 performance show was recorded live on Friday 2 September 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 4 September 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 6 September 2011.

Idols SA Season 7 Top 6 contestants
Season 7 Top 6 contestants.

Theme: “Showstopper”

Guest Judge: LeAnne

ContestantSongResult
Freddie Van’Dango“Seven Nation Army” by White StripesBottom two
Kelly Fortuin“American Boy” by Estelle Feat. Kanye WestEliminated
Lefa Pike“Miss Independent” by Ne-YoSafe
Dave van Vuuren“Hound Dog” by Willie Mae “Big Mama” ThorntonBottom three
Mark Haze“If I Had You” by Adam LambertSafe
Crushanda Forbes“Release Me” by AgnesSafe

Top 5

Each contestant performed two songs, the Top 5 performance show was recorded live on Friday 9 September 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 11 September 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 13 September 2011.

Idols SA Season 7 Top 5 contestants
Season 7 Top 5 contestants.

Theme: “Rock”

Guest Judge: Locnville

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongResult
Mark Haze“Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard“Dream On” by AerosmithBottom two
Crushanda Forbes“Simply The Best” by Tina Turner“Because of You” by Kelly ClarksonSafe
Lefa Pike“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen“The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The ScriptEliminated
Dave van Vuuren“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls“Come Together” by The BeatlesSafe
Freddie Van’Dango“Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling StonesBottom three

Top 4

Each contestant performed two songs and there were also two duets performed. The Top 4 performance show was recorded live on Friday 16 September 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 18 September 2011. The results show was aired live on Tuesday 20 September 2011.

Idols SA Season 7 Top 4 contestants with Guest Judge Craig David
Season 7 Top 4 contestants with Craig David, a guest judge at the Top 4 show.

Theme: “Grammy-Nominated Songs”

Guest Judge & Performer: Craig David

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongResult
Dave van Vuuren“Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen“Beautiful Day” by U2Bottom two
Crushanda Forbes“Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion“You Belong With Me” by Taylor SwiftSafe
Freddie Van’Dango“Kiss From A Rose” by Seal“Use Somebody” by Kings Of LeonEliminated
Mark Haze“Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye“The Pretender” by Foo FightersSafe

Duets:

  • Dave van Vuuren and Freddie Van’Dango performed “Don’t Give Up” by John Legend & P!nk
  • Mark Haze and Crushanda Forbes performed “Fields Of Gold” by Michael Bolton & Eva Cassidy
Guest judge Craig David performs at Idols SA Season 7 Top 4 Show
Craig David, who was the guest judge at the season 7 Top 4 show pictured during his guest performance.
Idols SA Season 7 judges with Guest Judge, Craig David at Top 4 Show
From Left to Right: Season 7 judges, Gareth Cliff, Unathi Nkayi, Top 4 show guest judge, Craig David and judge Randall Abrahams.

Top 3

Each contestant performed three songs, one of each contestant’s songs was chosen for them based on the year in which they were born. Sterling EQ accompanied the Idols in two of their three songs.

The Top 3 performance was recorded live on Friday 23 September 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 25 September 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 27 September 2011.

Theme: “Top Threes Terrific Trio”

Theme: Sterling EQ

Guest Judge: HHP

ContestantFirst SongSecond SongThird Song (Year of Birth)Result
Mark Haze“Roxanne” by The Police“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles“Open Arms” by Journey (1982)Safe
Crushanda Forbes“Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac “It’s Raining Men” by Martha Wash feat. RuPaul“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” by Michael Jackson (1987)Eliminated
Dave van Vuuren“Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows“Vincent” by Don McLean“Enjoy The Silence” by Depeche Mode (1990)Safe

Top 2: Grand Finale

The Top 2 contestants performed three songs each, both van Vuuren and Mark Haze were allowed to choose their favorite performance from any stage of the Idols SA competition.

The Top 2 were accompanied by one of South Africa’s biggest bands, The Parlotones. Each of the Top 2 contestants also performed their brand new debut single.

The Top 2 performance show was recorded live on Friday 30 September 2011 at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, and aired on Sunday 2 October 2011.

The results show was aired live on Tuesday 4 October 2011.

Themes:
“Contestant’s Favorite Song Of The Season”
“Song by The Parlotones”
“Contestant’s Debut Single”

ContestantFirst Song (Favorite Song)Second Song (Parlotones Song)Third Song (New single)ResultVote %
Dave van Vuuren“Sex On Fire” by Kings Of Leon (Top 10)“Should We Fight Back” by The Parlotones“Hall Of Mirrors” by Dave van VuurenWinner50.49%
Mark Haze“Dream On” by Aerosmith (Top 5)“Burning Love” by The Parlotones“Out Of My Head” by Mark HazeRunner-up49.51%
Dave van Vuuren kneeling down in disbelief after being revealed as the Idols SA season 7 winner
Grand Finale: Dave van Vuuren kneeling down in disbelief after being revealed as the Idols SA season 7 winner.
Dave van Vuuren, Idols SA season 7 winner at the Grand Finale
Grand Finale: Dave van Vuuren, shortly after Idols SA presenter ProVerb announced him as the Idols SA season 7 winner.
Idols SA Season 7 Winner Dave van Vuuren being applauded by his fellow contestants
Grand Finale: Season 7 Winner Dave van Vuuren being applauded by his fellow contestants.
Idols SA Season 7 Winner, Dave van Vuuren acknowledges the audience at the Grand Finale
Grand Finale: Season 7 Winner, Dave van Vuuren acknowledges the live audience.

Immediately after the Grand Finale, Dave van Vuuren’s new single “Hall Of Mirrors” and Mark Haze’s new single, “Out Of My Head” were available for download from Omusic.com at only R15.

Wooden Mic

Every season the worst auditions are voted for by the viewers to be part of their own Top 10 for the Wooden Mic trophy.

Wooden Mic Top 10

ContestantAudition CityResult
Florence NyangaCape Town
Isaac van WykCape Town
Cecilia GalanePolokwane
Lethabo RamorokaPolokwane
Martin MulimaPolokwane
Tshami MasemoloPolokwane
Zandrie van OnselenDurbanWinner
Peter Gobaknang TebangGauteng
Justin PaytonGauteng
Jacobus EngelbrechtGauteng

Season chronology:
« ( Season 6 ) Previous | Next ( Season 8 ) »


READ NEXT:

Idols SA Viewership

Idols SA Winners: Where Are They Now?

Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *