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 |
List of Contents
Auditions
Season 7 auditions were kicked off in February 2011 and took place in the following cities:
| Audition Date | Audition City | Audition Venue | Guest Judge | Episode Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 12 February 2011 | Cape Town, Western Cape | Cape Town International Convention Centre | Danny K | 5 June 2011 |
| Saturday 26 February 2011 | Polokwane, Limpopo | Peter Mokaba Stadium | Yvonne Chaka Chaka | 12 June 2011 |
| Saturday 12 March 2011 | Durban, Kwazulu Natal | Moses Mabhida Stadium | Kurt Darren | 19 June 2011 |
| Saturday 26 March 2011 | Soweto, Gauteng | Dobsonville Stadium | HHP | 26 June 2011 |
| Saturday 2 April 2011 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | Montecasino | HHP | 3 July 2011 |
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.
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dene Vorster | 16 | Roodepoort | “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga | Safe |
| Erin Fourie | 27 | Hilton | “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers | Safe |
| Mark Haze | 28 | Cape Town | “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses | Safe |
| Freddie Van’Dango | 22 | Johannesburg | “The Scientist” by Coldplay | Safe |
| Lefa Pike | 29 | Kimberly | “Valerie” by Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse | Safe |
| Crushanda Forbes | 23 | Cape Town | “Alone” by Heart | Safe |
| Phaksy Mngomezulu | 20 | Empangeni | “Broken Strings” by James Morrison | Safe |
| Dave van Vuuren | 21 | Johannesburg | “With or Without You” by U2 | Safe |
| Noluthando Meje | 24 | Cape Town | “Perfect” by Pink | Safe |
| Kelly Fortuin | 21 | Cape Town | “Mercy” by Duffy | Safe |
| Kerry Sanssoucie | 22 | Johannesburg | “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt | Eliminated |
| Chloe Geldenhuys | 16 | Cape Town | “Raise Your Glass” by Pink | Eliminated |
| Mandla Simelane | 27 | Soweto | “Somebody to Love” by Justin Bieber | Eliminated |
| Kahludi Malele | 29 | Klipgat | “Lazy” by Bruno Mars | Eliminated |
| Sibusisiwe Jali | 19 | Durban | “Firework” by Katy Perry | Eliminated |
Finalists
NOTE: ages stated at the time of contest
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Voted Off | Spectacular Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noluthando Meje | 24 | Cape Town | 8 Aug 2011 | Radio Chart Toppers |
| Phaksy Mngomezulu | 20 | Empangeni | 16 Aug 2011 | Homebrew |
| Dene Vorster | 16 | Roodepoort | 30 Aug 2011 | Gospel |
| Erin Fourie | 27 | Hilton | 30 Aug 2011 | Gospel |
| Kelly Fortuin | 21 | Cape Town | 6 Sep 2011 | Showstopper |
| Lefa Pike | 29 | Kimberly | 13 Sep 2011 | Rock |
| Freddie Van’Dango | 22 | Johannesburg | 20 Sep 2011 | Grammy-Nominated songs |
| Crushanda Forbes | 23 | Cape Town | 27 Sep 2011 | Top Threes Terrific Trio |
| Mark Haze | 28 | Cape Town | Runner-up | Finale |
| Dave van Vuuren | 21 | Johannesburg | Winner | Finale |
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)
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Haze | “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga | Safe |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Human” by The Killers | Safe |
| Noluthando Meje | “Mama Do” by Pixie Lott | Eliminated |
| Erin Fourie | “Hey Ya!” by Outkast | Safe |
| Lefa Pike | “Grace Kelly” by Mika | Bottom two |
| Dene Vorster | “Someone Like You” by Adele | Safe |
| Phaksy Mngomezulu | “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback | Safe |
| Kelly Fortuin | “Leave Right Now” by Will Young | Safe |
| Crushanda Forbes | “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson | Bottom three |
| Dave van Vuuren | “Sex On Fire” by Kings Of Leon | Safe |
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.
Theme: “Homebrew”
Guest Judge: Cofield Mundi
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Erin Fourie | “Fine Again” by Saran Gas | Bottom 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 Fassie | Bottom three |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Against All Odds” by aKing | |
| Phaksy Mngomezulu | “I Want You” by Loyiso | Eliminated |
| Kelly Fortuin | “I’d Like” by Freshly Ground | |
| Dene Vorster | “Afrikaans” by Flash Republic ft. Foto Na Dans |
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
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Fortuin | “Rock with You” by Michael Jackson | “Saved” |
| Dave van Vuuren | “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye | Safe |
| Dene Vorster | “Voice Within” by Christina Aguilera | Bottom two |
| Mark Haze | “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars | Safe |
| Erin Fourie | “Halo” by Beyoncé | Safe |
| Lefa Pike | “Ordinary People” by John Legend | Safe |
| Crushanda Forbes | “I Learned from the Best” by Whitney Houston | Bottom three |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse | Safe |
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.
Theme: “Mzansi Youth Choir”
Backing Vocals: Mzansi Youth Choir
Guest Performer: James Blunt
Guest Judge: Chante Moore
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Crushanda Forbes | “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly | Safe |
| Erin Fourie | “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” by Jackie DeShannon | Eliminated |
| Dene Vorster | “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson | Eliminated |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green | Safe |
| Kelly Fortuin | “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by Aretha Franklin & George Michael | Safe |
| Dave van Vuuren | “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel | Safe |
| Lefa Pike | “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers | Safe |
| Mark Haze | “Somebody To Love” by Queen | Safe |
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.
Theme: “Showstopper”
Guest Judge: LeAnne
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes | Bottom two |
| Kelly Fortuin | “American Boy” by Estelle Feat. Kanye West | Eliminated |
| Lefa Pike | “Miss Independent” by Ne-Yo | Safe |
| Dave van Vuuren | “Hound Dog” by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton | Bottom three |
| Mark Haze | “If I Had You” by Adam Lambert | Safe |
| Crushanda Forbes | “Release Me” by Agnes | Safe |
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.
Theme: “Rock”
Guest Judge: Locnville
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Haze | “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard | “Dream On” by Aerosmith | Bottom two |
| Crushanda Forbes | “Simply The Best” by Tina Turner | “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson | Safe |
| Lefa Pike | “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen | “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script | Eliminated |
| Dave van Vuuren | “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls | “Come Together” by The Beatles | Safe |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers | “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones | Bottom 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.
Theme: “Grammy-Nominated Songs”
Guest Judge & Performer: Craig David
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave van Vuuren | “Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen | “Beautiful Day” by U2 | Bottom two |
| Crushanda Forbes | “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion | “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift | Safe |
| Freddie Van’Dango | “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal | “Use Somebody” by Kings Of Leon | Eliminated |
| Mark Haze | “Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye | “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters | Safe |
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
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
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Third 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”
| Contestant | First Song (Favorite Song) | Second Song (Parlotones Song) | Third Song (New single) | Result | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Vuuren | Winner | 50.49% |
| Mark Haze | “Dream On” by Aerosmith (Top 5) | “Burning Love” by The Parlotones | “Out Of My Head” by Mark Haze | Runner-up | 49.51% |
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
| Contestant | Audition City | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Florence Nyanga | Cape Town | |
| Isaac van Wyk | Cape Town | |
| Cecilia Galane | Polokwane | |
| Lethabo Ramoroka | Polokwane | |
| Martin Mulima | Polokwane | |
| Tshami Masemolo | Polokwane | |
| Zandrie van Onselen | Durban | Winner |
| Peter Gobaknang Tebang | Gauteng | |
| Justin Payton | Gauteng | |
| Jacobus Engelbrecht | Gauteng |
Season chronology:
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› Idols SA Winners: Where Are They Now?
› Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date
