Idols SA Season 9
Idols SA Season 9 took place in 2013, the winner was Musa Sukwene and the runner-up was Brenden Ledwaba.
Season Summary
| Host: | ProVerb |
| Judges: | Unathi Nkayi, Randall Abrahams, and Gareth Cliff |
| Winner: | Musa Sukwene |
| Runner-up: | Brenden Ledwaba |
| Grand Finale Venue: | Moreleta Park Church Auditorium in Pretoria |
| Original Network: | M-Net, M-Net HD & Mzansi Magic |
| Start Date: | Sunday 28 July 2013 |
| End Date: | Tuesday 26 November 2013 |
List of Contents
Auditions
The season 9 auditions kicked off in February and ended in March 2013, and were held in the following cities:
| Date | City | Venue | Episode Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 2 February 2013 | Cape Town, Western Cape | Grandwest Arena | 28 July 2013 |
| Saturday 16 February 2013 | Soweto, Gauteng | Soweto Theatre | 11 August 2013 |
| Saturday 2 March 2013 | Durban, Kwazulu Natal | The Playhouse Company | 4 August 2013 |
| Saturday 23 March 2013 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | Sandton Convention Centre | 11 August 2013 |
Tickets To Sun City (Golden Tickets) Given Out Countrywide
| Audition City | Golden Tickets |
|---|---|
| Cape Town, Western Cape | 19 |
| Soweto and Johannesburg | 39 |
| Durban, Kwazulu Natal | 21 |
| TOTAL | 79 |
After the auditions, callbacks were held in Sun City for the golden ticket holders.
Theatre Week
The 80 talented singers who received the judges’ nod at the countrywide auditions moved into Sun City to show their mettle at the competition’s notorious Theatre Phase, also known as “Hell Week”.
The judges didn’t waste any time and by the end of the episode, the hypercritical trio of Gareth Cliff, Randall Abrahams, and Unathi Nkayi had slashed down the number of potential Idols to a mere 33.
So below is how things unfolded during Season 9’s Theatre Week.
During Idols SA Hell Week, contestants have to prove that they’re the best of the best, worthy of a spot in the Top 10, where they will be under immense pressure week after week. So, this year, the torture and tension started upon arrival when some performers were issued with mysterious yellow armbands.
Then the mystery and anxiety intensified with more color-coding: after singing a song of their choice on stage the judges sent the remaining performers to an ominous Orange Room, Purple Room, or Red Room.
Finally, Gareth Cliff, stepped forward to start unraveling the mystery. “All of you got three ‘yeses’ in your audition,” he told the group with the yellow armbands, who hadn’t sung yet. “You are through!” In other words, these 27 performers skipped the first round of Theatre Week auditions. And, the news was equally good for the contestants in the Orange Room, who all sang their way through to the next round.
As the contestants in the Purple Room only got two ‘yeses’ each for their performances, “You’re in, for now …” Randall Abrahams told them. “But you’re going to have to work at least twice as hard,” he warned.
The contestants in the Red Room all received two ‘no’s’, which meant their journey in Idols 9 had come to an end. But, Unathi Msengana explained, the judges each allowed themselves one save.
Gareth announced that he wanted to save Ntokozo Mbata from Soweto and Unathi rescued Durban’s Leigh Hondy. But Randall said he didn’t consider any one of them worth saving so Unathi grabbed the opportunity to save one more contestant: the “farmgirl punk” from Cape Town, Tauna Collier.
The survivors’ celebration was short-lived, though, because that very same night the remaining 51 contestants had to divide themselves into groups, pick a song, and rehearse and choreograph it overnight for their group performance the very next morning.
This was familiar ground for Hell Week veterans like 17-year-old Rethabile Khumalo from Soweto. “I’ve been here before and it’s kinda bringing back bad memories,” she sighed.
The next morning Hell Week again lived up to its reputation. Directly after the first group’s performance, three contestants were unceremoniously sent home: Cape Town’s Vincent Verhoog, Colin Scoltz, and Lee-Ron Malgas.
On a happier note, one of the three saves from the Red Room the previous day, Tauna Collier, upped her game and made it through to fight another day – despite complaints from group members that she struggled to harmonize with them.
By the end of the brutal Group Round, there were 32 contestants still in the game, but Unathi had one last surprise – after conspiring with her fellow judges she rushed off to save one final contestant to bring the total to 33: Cape Town’s Lee-Ron Malgas. And this was still just the end of Day 2 of Hell Week.
Idols SA Season 9 Top 33
The Top 33 contestants were revealed on Sunday 25 August 2013, they then had their solo performances a week later on Sunday 1 September 2013.
Below are the Top 33 contestants;
- Amy Jones
- Anele Mxhakaza
- Benjamin Tainton
- Brenden Ledwaba
- Bunny Majaja
- Busisiwe Masengemi
- Cara Frew
- Carle van Deventer
- Christina Williams
- Crystalene Nair
- Eddie Koeberg
- Edward Allen
- Frank Horton
- Innocent Mabushe
- Jonathan Johansen
- Lee-Ron Malgas
- Leigh Hondy
- Sonke Mazibuko
- Msizi Madinane
- Musa Sukwene
- Neliswa Mxhakaza
- Paola Donadio
- Philip Dube
- Phiwe Mfeka
- Rethabile Khumalo
- Sarah-Jade Haskin
- Sindile Mavimbela
- Sinenhlanhla Zungu
- Tauna Collier
- Thato Burhali
- Tumi Lesejana
- Tumi Morobane
- Zoe Zana
Idols SA Season 9 Top 16
The Idols SA Season 9 Top 16 contestants (finalists) were revealed on Sunday 8 September 2013.
NOTE: Click on a contestant’s name to view his or her full profile
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Jones | 20 | Cape Town | Student |
| Benjamin Tainton | 19 | Cape Town | Apprentice Farrier |
| Brenden Ledwaba | 19 | Mpumalanga | Student |
| Bunny Majaja | 26 | Johannesburg | Musician |
| Carlé van Deventer | 30 | Johannesburg | Singer |
| Christina Williams | 21 | Port Elizabeth | Singer |
| Crystalene Nair | 24 | Durban | Teacher & Singer |
| Innocent Mabushe | 27 | Limpopo | Singer |
| Jono Johansen | 16 | Durban | Student |
| Lee-Ron Malgas | 18 | Cape Town | Student |
| Musa Sukwene | 26 | Mpumalanga | Musician |
| Philip Dube | 20 | Johannesburg | Student |
| Sonke Mazibuko | 21 | Soweto | Singer |
| Tauna Collier | 26 | Cape Town | Singer |
| Tumi Lesejane | 21 | Midrand | Student |
| Zoë Zana | 19 | Cape Town | Student |
The Top 16 contestants were then split into two groups based on gender, the male group and the female group.
Top 16 Show
Top 8 Males
The male contestants of the Top 16 performed live on Sunday 15 September 2013 and their voting results were announced on Tuesday 17 September 2013.
Theme: “Radio Hits”
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Tainton | “Wake Me Up” by Avicii | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Stay” by Rihanna Ft. Mikky Ekko | Advanced |
| Innocent Mabushe | “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk Ft. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers | Advanced |
| Jono Johansen | “Millionaires” by The Script | Eliminated |
| Lee-Ron Malgas | “Harriet Jones” by Eric Benét | Eliminated |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Diamonds” by Rihanna | Advanced |
| Philip Dube | “Believe In Me” by R. Kelly | Eliminated |
| Musa Sukwene | “Don’t Judge Me” by Chris Brown | Advanced |
Top 8 Females
The female contestants of the Top 16 performed live on Sunday 22 September 2013 and their voting results were announced on Tuesday 24 September 2013.
Theme: “Radio Hits”
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Carlé van Deventer | “Brave” by Sara Bareilles | Eliminated |
| Tauna Collier | “One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)” by One Direction | Eliminated |
| Tumi Lesejane | “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth Ft. Emeli Sandé | Advanced |
| Christina Williams | “Clown” by Emeli Sandé | Advanced |
| Amy Jones | “Brand New Me” by Alicia Keys | Eliminated |
| Bunny Majaja | “Let Her Go” by Passenger | Advanced |
| Zoë Zana | “Lose To Win” by Fantasia | Advanced |
| Crystalene Nair | “Come & Get It” by Selena Gomez | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 10
The Idols SA season 9 top 10 contestants were revealed in two groups, the first group which consisted of five male contestants was revealed on Tuesday 17 September 2013 during the results show, live from the State Theatre.
The second group which consisted of five female contestants was then revealed a week later on Tuesday 24 September 2013 during the results show.
The top 10 contestants then performed live on Friday 27 September 2013 at the Moreleta Park Church Auditorium in Tshwane.
Theme: “Cheese”
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Brenden Ledwaba | “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate | Advanced |
| Crystalene Nair | “Because You Loved Me” by Céline Dion | Advanced |
| Innocent Mabushe | “Lady In Red” by Chris de Burgh | Advanced |
| Benjamin Tainton | “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” by Bryan Adams | Advanced |
| Zoë Zana | “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley | Bottom Three |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “All Out of Love” by Air Supply | Advanced |
| Tumi Lesejane | “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin | Eliminated |
| Bunny Majaja | “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” by Barry White | Advanced |
| Musa Sukwene | “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye | Advanced |
| Christina Williams | “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves | Bottom Three |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 9
The season 9 top 9 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 1 October 2013 during a live results show that was broadcast live on M-Net and Mzansi Magic from the Moreleta Park Church Auditorium in Tshwane, they then performed live on Friday 4 October 2013.
Theme: “My Idol”
Guest Mentor: Ziyon
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalene Nair | “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson | Advanced |
| Musa Sukwene | “Ndiyagodola” by Ringo Madlingozi | Advanced |
| Christina Williams | “Try” by Pink | Bottom three |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Jik’izinto” by Zonke | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton | Advanced |
| Benjamin Tainton | “The Scientist” by Coldplay | Eliminated |
| Innocent Mabushe | “Paradise” by Coldplay | Advanced |
| Zoë Zana | “Love The Way You Lie” by Rihanna | Bottom three |
| Bunny Majaja | “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 8
The season 9 top 8 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 8 October 2013 and then they performed live on Friday 11 October 2013 with support of a full orchestra.
Theme: “Movie Magic Anthems”
Guest Mentor: Trevor Jones
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Zoë Zana | “Lady Marmalade” cover by Christina Aguilera, Mýa, Pink & Lil’ Kim | Advanced |
| Innocent Mabushe | “Two Hearts” by Phil Collins | Eliminated |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Go The Distance” by Michael Bolton | Advanced |
| Crystalene Nair | “Waiting To Exhale” by Whitney Houston | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush | Advanced |
| Musa Sukwene | “Win” by Brian McKnight | Advanced |
| Bunny Majaja | “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal | Bottom three |
| Christina Williams | “Skyfall” by Adele | Bottom three |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 7
The season 9 top 7 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 15 October 2013 but before host ProVerb announced the final voting results, former Idols SA contestant Loyiso Bala provided some welcome relief from the tension with a performance of his latest hit, “Time To Dance”.
The Top 7 contestants then performed live on Friday 18 October 2013 with the help of the Idols SA Choir.
Theme: “Choral Interpretations”
Group Performance: The Top 7 contestants performed – “Roar” by Katy Perry
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalene Nair | “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin | Bottom three |
| Musa Sukwene | “Pass Me Over” by Anthony Hamilton | Advanced |
| Bunny Majaja | “Let It Be” by The Beatles | Bottom three |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Many Rivers To Cross” by Jimmy Cliff | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban | Advanced |
| Christina Williams | “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys | Eliminated |
| Zoë Zana | “Can You Feel It” by The Jackson 5 | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 6
The Top 6 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 22 October 2013 during a live results show where multi-award-winning South African crooner Donald entertained the Pretoria audience with his latest hit, “Crazy But Amazing”.
The Top 6 contestants then performed live on Friday 25 October 2013.
Theme: “Showstopper”
Guest Mentor: Danny K
Guest Performers: ChianoSky & Somizi Mhlongo
Group Performance: The Top 6 contestants performed – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)” by Fall Out Boy
| Contestant | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Khona” by Mafikizolo Ft. Uhuru | Advanced |
| Crystalene Nair | “Right Now” by Rihanna Ft. David Guetta | Eliminated |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Lengoma” by Zahara | Bottom three |
| Zoë Zana | “Wild” by Jessie J Ft. Dizzee Rascal & Big Sean | Advanced |
| Bunny Majaja | “Raise Your Glass” by Pink | Bottom three |
| Musa Sukwene | “Via Orlando” by DJ Vetkuk vs Mahoota | Advanced |
NOTE: Musa Sukwene underwent surgery for kidney stones before his Top 6 performance on Friday 25 October 2013.
Idols SA Season 9 Top 5
The top 5 were revealed on Tuesday 29 October 2013 and during the live results show, Danny K, who has been an Idols SA guest judge, a mentor and a guest performer, performed his latest hit, “Brown Eyes” accompanied by Kwaito star Brickz live at the Moreleta Auditorium – he told ProVerb he wished Idols was around when he was trying to break into the music business.
The Top 5 contestants then performed live on Friday 1 November 2013.
Theme: “The Nineties (’90s) VS the Naughties (’00s)”
Guest Mentor: Pam De Menezes
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musa Sukwene | “Bump n’ Grind” by R. Kelly | “Can’t Stay” by Dave Hollister | Advanced |
| Bunny Majaja | “Show Me Love” by Robin S | “Ndiredi” by Simphiwe Dana | Eliminated |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Nice & Slow” by Usher | “Jailer” by Asa | Advanced |
| Zoë Zana | “Together Again” by Janet Jackson | “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child | Bottom two |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees | “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Bublé | Advanced |
Idols SA Season 9 Top 4
The Top 4 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 5 November 2013 and during the live results show, South African girl group The Arrows was in the house at the Moreleta Park Church Auditorium in Pretoria to perform their hit “Spin My World Around”.
The Top 4 contestants then performed live on Friday 8 November 2013.
Theme: “Love Hits”
Guest Mentor: Zonke
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoë Zana | “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson | “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus | Eliminated |
| Sonke Mazibuko | “A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway | “Loved Me Back To Life” by Céline Dion | Advanced |
| Musa Sukwene | “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the Wailers | “Thy Will Be Done” by India.Arie Ft. Gramps Morgan | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley and the Wailers | “All of Me” by John Legend | Bottom two |
Duets:
– Sonke Mazibuko and Zoë Zana : “When I First Saw You” by Jamie Foxx & Beyoncé
– Brenden Ledwaba and Musa Sukwene : “Same Girl” by R. Kelly & Usher
Idols SA Season 9 Top 3
The Top 3 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 12 November 2013 and in order to lighten the tension in the room during the live results show, Zonke who helped mentor the Top 4 contestants performed her latest hit, “Feelings”.
The Top 3 contestants then performed live on Friday 15 November 2013, they each performed three songs, one chosen for them by the Idols SA judges, one selected by the Idols SA Musical Director RJ Benjamin, and one song of their own choosing. As usual, tickets for the show were available for purchase on Computicket.
Themes:
– “Contestants’ Choice”
– “Judges’ Choice”
– “Idols SA Musical Director’s Choice”
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Third Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonke Mazibuko | “Burn Out” by Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse | “Turn Me On” by David Guetta Ft. Nicki Minaj | “Rhythm Of The Night” by DeBarge | Eliminated |
| Musa Sukwene | “Inkomo” by The Soil | “Meropa” by BOP and the Mahotella Queens | “Love” by Musiq Soulchild | Advanced |
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Do You” by Miguel | “Beauty And A Beat” by Justin Bieber Ft. Nicki Minaj | “Locked Out Of Heaven” by Bruno Mars | Advanced |
The Top 3 contestants, Sonke, Musa and Brenden got to meet with Idols SA fans on Saturday 16 November 2013 at the Truworths flagship store in Sandton City at 10:00 AM. The Top 3 posed for photographs with the fans and also signed autographs for them.
Idols SA Season 9 Top 2 (Grand Finale)
The Idols SA season 9 Top 2 contestants were revealed on Tuesday 19 November 2013 during a live results show.
Idols SA fans had the opportunity to see the Top 2 contestants and got their autographs when they performed live at the brand new Cradlestone Mall at Mogale City at noon and at Cresta Mall in Randburg at 14:30 on Saturday 23 November 2013.
Then the Idols SA fans in Cape Town got to cheer our Top 2 finalists, Brenden and Musa at Canal Walk at 11:00 AM on Sunday 24 November 2013.
Tickets for the Grand Finale were on sale at Computicket, the Grand Finale took place on Tuesday 26 November 2013, and was broadcast live on both M-Net and Mzansi Magic.
Themes:
– “Season’s Best picked by the Show Producers”
– “Season’s Best picked by the Contestant”
– “Contestant’s brand new single”
| Contestant | First Song | Second Song | Third Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brenden Ledwaba | “Jailer” by Aṣa | “Stay” by Rihanna Ft. Mikky Ekko | “Fingerprints” | Runner-up |
| Musa Sukwene | “Ndiyagodola” by Ringo Madlingozi | “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye | “I Still Feel It” | Winner |
Guest Performers:
– AKA
– The Parlotones
– ChianoSky
– Mi Casa
– Khuli Chana
After 2 million votes and just over a mere 1,000 separating the winner from the runner-up, Musa Sukwene was announced as the winner after a tight competition between him and Brenden Ledwaba.
M-Net’s Head of Publicity and Special Projects Lani Lombard said at the time that this was the first of its kind to have two contestants so close to being Idol SA winners.
“We have never experienced such a close race before on Idols SA.
“It’s a testament to the calibre of the contestants as well as the passion of the fans. It’s fantastic to be able to provide such a phenomenal platform for untapped local singing talent.”
Season chronology:
« ( Season 8 ) Previous | Next ( Season 10 ) »
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