Idols South Africa season 17 explained

Module1:	Judges: Randall Abrahams Unathi Nkayi Somizi Mhlongo Host: ProVerb Winner: Berry Trytsman Runner Up: Karabo Mathe
Network:	Mzansi Magic
Num Episodes:	20

The seventeenth season of South African Idols premiered on 11 July 2021 and concluded on 21 November 2021 on the Mzansi Magic television network. The season was won by Berry Trytsman and the runner-up was Karabo Mathe.^{[1] [2]}

The season saw judge Somizi Mhlongo being asked to "take time off" from the show to deal with domestic abuse allegations against him.^[3] This resulted in him only appearing in the first few pre-recorded episodes and none of the live ones. He was replaced by a guest judge each week for the rest of the season.

After 17 and 11 years as judges respectively, it was announced shortly before the start of the eighteenth season that Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi would not be returning to the show.^[4]

Finalists

Contestant		Age	Hometown	Place finished
	Berry Trytsman	30	Cape Town, Western Cape
	Karabo Mathe	21	Hebron, North West
	S'22kile Langa	20	Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
	Kevin Maduna	28	Soweto, Gauteng
	Daylin Sass	23	Hanover Park, Western Cape
	Nqobie Linda	28	Soweto, Gauteng
	Sia Mzizi	20	Tsakane, Gauteng
	Bulelani Twala	18	Heidelberg, Gauteng
	Monique Erens	25	Cape Town, Western Cape
	Ithana Conjwa	23	Cala, Eastern Cape
	Zukisa Mashiqa	16	Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal	rowspan=3
	Siya Motloung	21	Katlehong, Gauteng
	Misty Makhene	30	Vosloorus, Gauteng
	Andiswa Zondi	18	Johannesburg, Gauteng	rowspan=3
	Sinovuyo Mbhele	20	Vosloorus, Gauteng
	Tesmin-Robyn Khanye	23	Katlehong, Gauteng

Weekly Song Choice and Result

Top 16: The Biggest Hits of Today

Group A (29 August)

Act!scope="col"

Order	Song^[5]	Result
scope=row	Andiswa Zondi	1	"Midnight Sky" by Miley Cyrus	Eliminated
scope=row	Bulelani Twala	2	"Attention" by Charlie Puth	Wild Card
scope=row	Sinovuyo Mbhele	3	"Pick Up Your Feelings" by Jazmine Sullivan	Eliminated
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	4	"Hard Place" by H.E.R	Safe
scope=row	Sia Mzizi	5	"Heartbreak Anniversary" by Giveon	Safe
scope=row	Tesmin-Robyn	6	"Before I Let Go" by Beyoncé	Eliminated
scope=row	Daylin Sass	7	"Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	8	"You Say" by Lauren Daigle	Safe

• Guest Judge: Lady Du^[5]

Group B (5 September)

Act!scope="col"

Order	Song^[6]	Result
scope=row	Siya Motloung	1	"In Your Eyes" by The Weeknd	Eliminated
scope=row	Zukisa Mashiqa	2	"Distance" by Yebba	Eliminated
scope=row	Misty Makhene	3	"Dying 4 Your Love" by Snoh Aalegra	Eliminated
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	4	"Stand Up for Something" by Andra Day	Safe
scope=row	S’22kile Langa	5	"Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha	Safe
scope=row	Monique Erens	6	"I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga	Safe
scope=row	Ithana Conjwa	7	"Forgive Me" by Chloe x Halle	Wild Card
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	8	"Peaches" by Justin Bieber	Safe

• Guest Judge: Buhle Mda^[6]

Top 10 (Top 9): Battle of the DJs (19 September)

This round saw contestants perform hit songs by five DJs: DJ Cleo, Prince Kaybee, Sun-El Musician, De Mthuda and DJ Sumbody.^[7]

Ithana Conjwa withdrew from the competition for health reasons a day before performing in the non-elimination round broadcast on 12 September.^[8] This meant that the top 10 round immediately became the top 9 round.

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song^[9]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Bulelani Twala	1	"Iyamemeza" by DJ Sumbody feat. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys	Safe
scope=row	Monique Erens	2	"Charlotte" by Prince Kaybee feat. Lady Zamar	Eliminated
scope=row	Daylin Sass	3	"Friend Zone" by Prince Kaybee feat. Ziyon	Safe
scope=row	S’22kile Langa	4	"Wamuhle" by De Mthuda feat. Njelic & Boohle	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	5	"Choose To Be Happy" by DJ Cleo feat. Mmatema	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	6	"Piki Piki" by DJ Sumbody feat. Cassper Nyovest & Kaylow	Safe
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	7	"Akanamali" by Sun-El Musician feat. Samthing Soweto	Safe
scope=row	Sia Mzizi	8	"Emlanjeni" by De Mthuda & Sir Trill feat. Da Muziqal Chef	Safe
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	9	"Gcina Impilo Yam" by DJ Cleo feat. Bucy Radebe	Safe
scope=row	Ithana Conjwa	10	"Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki	Withdrew

Top 8 (26 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song^[10]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	1	"When I See U" by Fantasia	Safe
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	2	"Uthando" by Soa Mattrix & Soulful G feat. Shaun 101	Safe
scope=row	S’22kile Langa	3	"Xola Moya Wam" by Nomcebo Zikode feat. Master KG	Safe
scope=row	Sia Mzizi	4	"Dream About You" by Loyiso Gijana	Safe
scope=row	Daylin Sass	5	"Yummy" by Justin Bieber	Safe
scope=row	Bulelani Twala	6	"Uyeke" by Heavy K feat. Natalia Mabaso	Eliminated
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	7	"Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	8	"Case" by Teni	Safe

• Guest Judge: Dineo Ranaka^[11]

Top 7

Top 7: Mzansi Greats (3 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song^[12]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	1	"Paradise Road" by Joy	Safe
scope=row	Daylin Sass	2	"Take Your Love" by Steve Kekana	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	3	"I'd Like" by Freshlyground	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	4	"Nguwe" by Malaika	Safe
scope=row	Sia Mzizi	5	"Sondela" by Ringo Madlingozi	Safe
scope=row	S'22kile Langa	6	"No No No Senor" by Brenda Fassie	Safe
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	7	"I Love Music" by Lebo Mathosa	Safe

• Guest Judge: Zahara^[13]

Top 7: Showstopper (11 October)

On 11 October, it was announced that there would be no elimination that week, and would resume the following week.^[14] All seven contestants went on to perform their prepared showstopper songs.

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	S'22kile Langa	1	"Dance for You" by Beyoncé	Safe
scope=row	Sia Mzizi	2	"John Wick" by De Mthuda feat. Sir Trill & Da Muziqal Chef	Eliminated
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	3	"Respect" by Aretha Franklin	Safe
scope=row	Daylin Sass	4	"LaLaLa" by Black Coffee feat. Usher	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	5	"Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Christina Aguilera	Safe
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	6	"Dance like We're Making Love" by Ciara	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	7	"We Dance Again" by Black Coffee feat. Nakhane Touré	Safe

• Guest Judge: Thembi Seete^[15]

Top 6: Oskido's Playlist & Max Martin's Songbook (17 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Oskido's Playlist^[16]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Max Martin's Songbook	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	1	"Power" by Amanda Black	7	"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	2	"Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki	8	"It's My Life" by Bon Jovi	Safe
scope=row	Nqobie Linda	3	"Feelings" by Zonke	9	"Please Don't Leave Me" by Pink	Eliminated
scope=row	S'22kile Langa	4	"Ntyilo Ntyilo" by Rethabile Khumalo feat. Master KG	10	"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" by Adele	Safe
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	5	"Ngeke Balunge" by Mafikizolo	11	"Perfect" by Pink	Safe
scope=row	Daylin Sass	6	"Something Inside So Strong" by Lira	12	"Pillowtalk by Zayn	Safe

• Guest Judge: Oskido^[16]

Top 5: Mzansi Gay Choir (24 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Unplugged^[17]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — LGBTQI+ Allies	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	1	"Thandwa Ndim" by Amanda Black	6	"River Deep – Mountain High" by Tina Turner	Safe
scope=row	Daylin Sass	2	"Fairytale" by Liquideep	7	"Whataya Want from Me" by Adam Lambert	Eliminated
scope=row	S’22kile Langa	3	"Easy to Love" by Bucie	8	"Love on the Brain" by Rihanna	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	4	"Happy" by Craig Lucas	9	"The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	5	"Mnike" by Afrotraction	10	"As" by Stevie Wonder	Safe

• Guest Judge: Khaya Dladla^[17]

Top 4: Judges' Picks & SAMA Winners (31 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Judges' Picks^[18]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — SAMA Winners	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	S’22kile Langa	1	"Diamonds" by Rihanna	5	"Sonini" by Sun-El Musician	Safe
scope=row	Kevin Maduna	2	"Banyana" by DJ Maphorisa	6	"These Streets" by Mi Casa	Eliminated
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	3	"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson	7	"Black President" by Brenda Fassie	Safe
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	4	"No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande	8	"Hold Your Kite" by GoldFish and Sorana	Safe

• Guest Judge: Kelly Khumalo^[18]

Top 3: Gospel Duet (7 November)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Duet with Gospel Artist^[19]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	1	"Basuka" by Ayanda Ntanzi	4	"Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers	7	"Easy on Me" by Adele	Safe
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	2	"Hallelujah Mdumiseni" by Lebo Sekgobela	5	"Gold" by Beverley Knight	8	"Phakade Lami" by Nomfundo Moh, Sha Sha & Ami Faku	Safe
scope=row	S'22kile Langa	3	"Mhlekazi" by Hlengiwe Mhlaba	6	"Mina Nawe" by Amanda Black	9	"Woman" by Doja Cat	Eliminated

• Guest Judge: Judith Sephuma^[19]
• Before his elimination, Kevin Maduna got a chance to perform his gospel duet song "Ukuhlala Kuye" with Dumi Mkokstad.^[20]

Top 2 (14 November)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Idols-produced Single	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Audition Song	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Favourite Previous Performance	Result
scope=row	Karabo Mathe	1	"Hosanna" by Karabo Mathe	3	"Ndidinge" by Cici	5	"Respect" by Aretha Franklin	Runner-up
scope=row	Berry Trytsman	2	"Ungowami" by Berry Trytsman	4	"Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman	6	"Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Christina Aguilera"	Winner

• Guest Judge: Msaki^[1]
• Before her elimination, S'22kile performed her single "Falling".^[21]

Elimination Chart

Colour key

–	Winner
–	Runner-up
–	Eliminated
–	Wild Card
–	Withdrew

Weekly results per act

Act	Top 16		Top 10	Top 9	Top 8	Top 7 (first week)	Top 7 (second week)	Top 6	Top 5	Top 4	Top 3	Top 2
	Group A	Group B
Berry Trytsman	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Winner
Karabo Mathe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Runner-up
S'22kile		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	3rd place	Eliminated
Kevin Maduna		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	4th place	Eliminated
Daylin Sass	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	5th place	Eliminated
Nqobie Linda	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	6th place	Eliminated
Sia Mzizi	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	7th place	Eliminated
Bulelani Twala	Wild Card		Safe	Safe	8th place	Eliminated
Monique Erens		Safe	Safe	9th place	Eliminated
Ithana Conjwa		Wild Card	10th place	Eliminated
Zukisa Mashiqa		11th/13th place	Eliminated
Siya Motloung
Misty Makhene
Andiswa Zondi	14th/16th place	Eliminated
Sinovuyo Mbhele
Tesmin-Robyn Khanye

Notes and References

1. Web site: Berry sweeps Idols SA judges off their feet. 21 November 2021. Seemela. Masego. The Sowetan. 3 February 2022.
2. Web site: Berry wins 'Idols SA' season 17. 21 November 2021. 3 February 2021. IOL.
3. Web site: Somizi Mhlongo to 'take time off' from Idols SA in light of abuse allegations against him. 6 August 2021. 3 February 2022. News24. Ferreira. Thinus.
4. Web site: Idols SA bids farewell to Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi. 23 January 2022. 3 February 2022. News24. Madibogo. Julia.
5. Web site: Lady Du gets Mzansi’s stamp of approval as 'Idols SA' guest judge. 30 August 2021. 3 February 2022. IOL.
6. Web site: GROUP 2 OF IDOLS TOP 16 TAKES THE STAGE!. 5 September 2021. 4 February 2022. Ngenyane. Andiswa. Daily Sun.
7. Web site: 'Idols SA' brings some of SA's biggest DJs to join contestants. 20 September 2021. IOL. 3 February 2022. Maliba. Amanda.
8. Web site: Mzansi reacts to Ithana dropping out of 'Idols SA' race amid health concerns. TimesLIVE. Naidoo. Deepika. 20 September 2021. 3 February 2022.
9. Web site: Voted off Idols: Monique will now complete her degree. 28 September 2021. Tjiya. Emmanuel. The Sowetan. 4 February 2022.
10. Web site: Idols 17: Bags packed for Bulelani. 3 October 2021. TVSA. 3 February 2022.
11. Web site: ‘Idols SA’ fans think Dineo Ranaka is an ‘amazing fit’ for Somizi. 27 September 2021. Naidoo. Alicia. The South African. 3 February 2022.
12. Web site: 'Idols SA' top 7 pay tribute to SA music icons. 4 October 2021. IOL. 3 February 2022.
13. IdolsSA . 1444683017373507597 . The multi award-winning, multi-platinum @ZaharaSA performs her proudly South African ‘iZolo’ before joining the #IdolsSA judging panel!.
14. Web site: 'Idols SA' top 7 impresses fans with spectacular showstopper performances. 11 October 2021. IOL. 3 February 2022.
15. Web site: ‘Idols SA’: Fans call Thembi Seete ‘female Somizi’ after guest appearance. 11 October 2021. Manuel. Marilynn. The South African. 3 February 2022.
16. Web site: Idols SA top 6 level up as they serenade Kalawa Jazmee’s Oskido. 19 October 2021. Old Mutual. 3 February 2022.
17. Web site: Could former ‘Uzalo’ star Khaya Dladla be a permanent ‘Idols SA’ judge?. 25 October 2021. Mbhele. Sandisiwe. The Citizen. 3 February 2022.
18. Web site: 'Idols SA' contestants battle it out for top 3 spot. 2 November 2021. IOL. 3 February 2022.
19. Web site: Idols SA season 17 makes history with all-female top three. 8 November 2021. Ferreria. Thinus. News24. 3 February 2022.
20. Web site: Idols 17: All girl Top 3 as Kevin kaps it home. TVSA. 8 November 2021. 3 February 2022.
21. Web site: S'22kile ready to build her music career after Idols SA exit. 17 November 2021. Seemela. Masego. The Sowetan. 3 February 2022.