Idols South Africa

Idols South Africa is a singing television competition created by Simon Fuller, it is the South African version of Pop Idol.

The show started airing on 10 March 2002 on M-Net but was later changed to Mzansi Magic.

The show’s premise is to determine the best young South African singer without a signed contract.

The winner is determined by a live vote across South Africa.

Judges

The judges for the show include Marcus Brewster and Penny Lebyane for season one.

Dave Thompson for the first five seasons, Randall Abrahams for the first seventeen seasons, and Marah Louw from seasons two to six.

Gareth Cliff from season two to twelve and Unathi Nkayi from season seven to seventeen.

Somizi Mhlongo from season eleven onwards.

Thembi Seete and JR from season eighteen onwards.

Below is a summary of all the Idols South Africa judges since season 1 in 2002.

Judge NameSeasonsYears
Dave Thompson1, 2, 3, 4, and 52002 – 2009
Marcus Brewster12002
Randall Abrahams1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 172002 – 2021
Penny Lebyane12002
Marah Louw2, 3, 4, 5 and 62003 – 2010
Gareth Cliff2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 122003 – 2016
Unathi Nkayi7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 172011 – 2021
Somizi Mhlongo11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 182015 – Present
Thembi Seete182022 –
JR Bogopa182022 –

Presenters

The show was co-hosted by Candy Litchfield and Matthew Stewardson for the first half of season 1.

Midway through season 1, Matthew Stewardson was fired and replaced by Sami Sabiti who co-hosted the remainder of season 1 with Litchfield.

Colin Moss and Letoya Makhene co-hosted season 2.

Colin Moss hosted season 3 and season 4 alone.

Liezel van der Westhuizen hosted season 5 alone and co-hosted season 6 with ProVerb.

ProVerb has hosted every season since season 7.

Below is a table summarizing all the Idols South Africa presenters since season 1 in 2002.

Presenter NameSeasonsYears
Candy Litchfield12002
Matthew Stewardson12002
Sami Sabiti12002
Letoya Makhene22003
Colin Moss2, 3, 42003 – 2007
Liezel van der Westhuizen5, 62009 – 2010
ProVerb6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 182010 – Present

Season 1

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 1

Judges and host


Season 2

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 2

Judges and host


Season 3

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 3

Judges and host


Season 4

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 4

Judges and host


Season 5

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 5

Judges and host


Season 6

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 6

Judges and host


Season 7

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 7

Judges and host


Season 8

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 8

Judges and host


Season 9

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 9

Judges and host


Season 10

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 10

Judges and host


Season 11

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 11

Judges and host


Season 12

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 12

Judges and host


Season 13

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 13

Judges and host


Season 14

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 14

Judges and host


Season 15

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 15

Judges and host


Season 16

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 16

Judges and host


Season 17

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 17

Judges and host


Season 18

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 18

Judges and host


Season 19

Main article: Idols South Africa Season 19

Idols SA Season 19 is currently airing in 2023 and it will be the last season of Idols South Africa.

The show premiered on Saturday 8 July and will end on Saturday 4 November 2023.

Judges and host

The judges of Idols SA Season 19 are Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete, and JR Bogopa.

The host is ProVerb.

Finalists (Top 12)

The Idols SA Season 19 Top 12 contestants were revealed in episode 6 on Saturday 12 August 2023.

ContestantAgeHometownPlace Finished
Thando Mdluli22Orange Farm, Gauteng
Niikiey Kubheka18Vosloorus, Gauteng
Envic Booysen25Cape Town, Western Cape
Princess MacDonald24Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga
Nkosi King Teresa29Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Thabo Ndlovu26EMalahleni, Mpumalanga
Sena Mkhwanazi28Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Faith Nakana26Lebowakgomo, Limpopo
Lungelo Motaung28Johannesburg, Gauteng9th
Lungile Mthethwa24Benoni, Gauteng10th
Sipho Manana18Johannesburg, Gauteng11th
Neve Arnolds22Stellenbosch, Western Cape12th

Winner and Runner-up

The winner and runner-up of Idols SA Season 19 will be announced in episode 18 (Grand Finale) on Saturday 4 November 2023.


Idols SA Winners

Below is a list of all Idols South Africa winners from seasons 1 to 18.

  • Season 1 (2002): Heinz Winckler
  • Season 2 (2003): Anke Pietrangeli
  • Season 3 (2005): Karin Kortje
  • Season 4 (2007): Jody Williams
  • Season 5 (2009): Sasha-Lee Davids and Jason Hartman
  • Season 6 (2010): Elvis Blue
  • Season 7 (2011): Dave van Vuuren
  • Season 8 (2012): Khaya Mthethwa
  • Season 9 (2013): Musa Sukwene
  • Season 10 (2014): Vincent Bones
  • Season 11 (2015): Karabo Mogane
  • Season 12 (2016): Noma Khumalo
  • Season 13 (2017): Paxton Fielies
  • Season 14 (2018): Yanga Sobetwa
  • Season 15 (2019): Luyolo Yiba
  • Season 16 (2020): Zama Khumalo
  • Season 17 (2021): Berry Trytsman
  • Season 18 (2022): Thapelo Molomo

Idols SA Runner-ups

Below is a list of all South African Idols runner-ups from seasons 1 to 18.

  • Season 1 (2002): Brendon October
  • Season 2 (2003): Poseletso Sejosingoe
  • Season 3 (2005): Gift Gwe
  • Season 4 (2007): Andriëtte Norman
  • Season 5 (2009): N/A
  • Season 6 (2010): Lloyd Cele
  • Season 7 (2011): Mark Haze
  • Season 8 (2012): Melissa Allison
  • Season 9 (2013): Brenden Ledwaba
  • Season 10 (2014): Bongi Silinda
  • Season 11 (2015): Mmatema Moremi
  • Season 12 (2016): Thami Shobede
  • Season 13 (2017): Mthokozisi Ndaba
  • Season 14 (2018): Thato Makape
  • Season 15 (2019): Sneziey Msomi
  • Season 16 (2020): Mr Music
  • Season 17 (2021): Karabo Mathe
  • Season 18 (2022): Nozi Sibiya

Idols SA Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Idols South Africa?

FremantleMedia, a company based in Britain, is Idols South Africa’s format holder. Gavin Wratten and his fellow producers of Idols SA normally deal with British producers because that is where FremantleMedia is based.

Who started Idols South Africa?

Idols South Africa was started by British artist manager, entrepreneur, and film and television producer, Simon Fuller.

What does the winner of Idols SA get?

The winner of Idols SA gets a cash prize, a recording deal, musical equipment from Yamaha, and a fashion voucher from Truworths.

How much does the winner of Idols SA get?

The winner of Idols SA gets a cash prize that ranges between R1 million and R2 million.


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Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date

Idols SA Viewership

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