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.
List of Contents
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 Name | Seasons | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Thompson | 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 | 2002 – 2009 |
| Marcus Brewster | 1 | 2002 |
| Randall Abrahams | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 | 2002 – 2021 |
| Penny Lebyane | 1 | 2002 |
| Marah Louw | 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 | 2003 – 2010 |
| Gareth Cliff | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 | 2003 – 2016 |
| Unathi Nkayi | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 | 2011 – 2021 |
| Somizi Mhlongo | 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 | 2015 – Present |
| Thembi Seete | 18 | 2022 – |
| JR Bogopa | 18 | 2022 – |
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 Name | Seasons | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Litchfield | 1 | 2002 |
| Matthew Stewardson | 1 | 2002 |
| Sami Sabiti | 1 | 2002 |
| Letoya Makhene | 2 | 2003 |
| Colin Moss | 2, 3, 4 | 2003 – 2007 |
| Liezel van der Westhuizen | 5, 6 | 2009 – 2010 |
| ProVerb | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 | 2010 – 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.
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Place Finished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thando Mdluli | 22 | Orange Farm, Gauteng | |
| Niikiey Kubheka | 18 | Vosloorus, Gauteng | |
| Envic Booysen | 25 | Cape Town, Western Cape | |
| Princess MacDonald | 24 | Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga | |
| Nkosi King Teresa | 29 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | |
| Thabo Ndlovu | 26 | EMalahleni, Mpumalanga | |
| Sena Mkhwanazi | 28 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | |
| Faith Nakana | 26 | Lebowakgomo, Limpopo | |
| Lungelo Motaung | 28 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | 9th |
| Lungile Mthethwa | 24 | Benoni, Gauteng | 10th |
| Sipho Manana | 18 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | 11th |
| Neve Arnolds | 22 | Stellenbosch, Western Cape | 12th |
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.
READ NEXT:
› Idols SA Winners: Where Are They Now?
› Idols SA Presenters From Season 1 To Date
› Australian Idol 2023 (Season 8) Auditions
