Idols South Africa season 17

*Idols South Africa*
Idols South Africa
Season 17
Hosted by	ProVerb
Judges	Randall Abrahams; Unathi Nkayi; Somizi Mhlongo;
Winner	Berry Trytsman
Runner-up	Karabo Mathe
No. of episodes	20
Release
Original network	Mzansi Magic
Original release	11 July –; 21 November 2021
Season chronology
	← Previous; Season 16 Next →; Season 18

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

	Age	Hometown	Place finished
Berry Trytsman	30	Cape Town, Western Cape	Winner
Karabo Mathe	21	Hebron, North West	Runner-up
S'22kile Langa	20	Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal	3rd
Kevin Maduna	28	Soweto, Gauteng	4th
Daylin Sass	23	Hanover Park, Western Cape	5th
Nqobie Linda	28	Soweto, Gauteng	6th
Sia Mzizi	20	Tsakane, Gauteng	7th
Bulelani Twala	18	Heidelberg, Gauteng	8th
Monique Erens	25	Cape Town, Western Cape	9th
Ithana Conjwa	23	Cala, Eastern Cape	10th
Zukisa Mashiqa	16	Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal	11th–13th
Siya Motloung	21	Katlehong, Gauteng
Misty Makhene	30	Vosloorus, Gauteng
Andiswa Zondi	18	Johannesburg, Gauteng	14th–16th
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	Order	Song^[5]	Result
Andiswa Zondi	1	"Midnight Sky" by Miley Cyrus	Eliminated
Bulelani Twala	2	"Attention" by Charlie Puth	Wild Card
Sinovuyo Mbhele	3	"Pick Up Your Feelings" by Jazmine Sullivan	Eliminated
Nqobie Linda	4	"Hard Place" by H.E.R	Safe
Sia Mzizi	5	"Heartbreak Anniversary" by Giveon	Safe
Tesmin-Robyn	6	"Before I Let Go" by Beyoncé	Eliminated
Daylin Sass	7	"Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic	Safe
Berry Trytsman	8	"You Say" by Lauren Daigle	Safe

Guest Judge: Lady Du^[5]

Group B (5 September)


Act	Order	Song^[6]	Result
Siya Motloung	1	"In Your Eyes" by The Weeknd	Eliminated
Zukisa Mashiqa	2	"Distance" by Yebba	Eliminated
Misty Makhene	3	"Dying 4 Your Love" by Snoh Aalegra	Eliminated
Karabo Mathe	4	"Stand Up for Something" by Andra Day	Safe
S’22kile Langa	5	"Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha	Safe
Monique Erens	6	"I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga	Safe
Ithana Conjwa	7	"Forgive Me" by Chloe x Halle	Wild Card
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	Order	Song^[9]	Result
Bulelani Twala	1	"Iyamemeza" by DJ Sumbody feat. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys	Safe
Monique Erens	2	"Charlotte" by Prince Kaybee feat. Lady Zamar	Eliminated
Daylin Sass	3	"Friend Zone" by Prince Kaybee feat. Ziyon	Safe
S’22kile Langa	4	"Wamuhle" by De Mthuda feat. Njelic & Boohle	Safe
Berry Trytsman	5	"Choose To Be Happy" by DJ Cleo feat. Mmatema	Safe
Kevin Maduna	6	"Piki Piki" by DJ Sumbody feat. Cassper Nyovest & Kaylow	Safe
Nqobie Linda	7	"Akanamali" by Sun-El Musician feat. Samthing Soweto	Safe
Sia Mzizi	8	"Emlanjeni" by De Mthuda & Sir Trill feat. Da Muziqal Chef	Safe
Karabo Mathe	9	"Gcina Impilo Yam" by DJ Cleo feat. Bucy Radebe	Safe
Ithana Conjwa	10	"Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki	Withdrew

Top 8 (26 September)


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

Guest Judge: Dineo Ranaka^[11]

Top 7

Top 7: Mzansi Greats (3 October)


Act	Order	Song^[12]	Result
Karabo Mathe	1	"Paradise Road" by Joy	Safe
Daylin Sass	2	"Take Your Love" by Steve Kekana	Safe
Berry Trytsman	3	"I'd Like" by Freshlyground	Safe
Kevin Maduna	4	"Nguwe" by Malaika	Safe
Sia Mzizi	5	"Sondela" by Ringo Madlingozi	Safe
S'22kile Langa	6	"No No No Senor" by Brenda Fassie	Safe
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	Order	Song^[14]	Result
S'22kile Langa	1	"Dance for You" by Beyoncé	Safe
Sia Mzizi	2	"John Wick" by De Mthuda feat. Sir Trill & Da Muziqal Chef	Eliminated
Karabo Mathe	3	"Respect" by Aretha Franklin	Safe
Daylin Sass	4	"LaLaLa" by Black Coffee feat. Usher	Safe
Berry Trytsman	5	"Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Christina Aguilera	Safe
Nqobie Linda	6	"Dance like We're Making Love" by Ciara	Safe
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	Order	Song — Oskido's Playlist^[16]	Order	Song — Max Martin's Songbook^[16]	Result
Berry Trytsman	1	"Power" by Amanda Black	7	"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry	Safe
Kevin Maduna	2	"Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki	8	"It's My Life" by Bon Jovi	Safe
Nqobie Linda	3	"Feelings" by Zonke	9	"Please Don't Leave Me" by Pink	Eliminated
S'22kile Langa	4	"Ntyilo Ntyilo" by Rethabile Khumalo feat. Master KG	10	"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" by Adele	Safe
Karabo Mathe	5	"Ngeke Balunge" by Mafikizolo	11	"Perfect" by Pink	Safe
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	Order	Song — Unplugged^[17]	Order	Song — LGBTQI+ Allies^[17]	Result
Karabo Mathe	1	"Thandwa Ndim" by Amanda Black	6	"River Deep – Mountain High" by Tina Turner	Safe
Daylin Sass	2	"Fairytale" by Liquideep	7	"Whataya Want from Me" by Adam Lambert	Eliminated
S’22kile Langa	3	"Easy to Love" by Bucie	8	"Love on the Brain" by Rihanna	Safe
Berry Trytsman	4	"Happy" by Craig Lucas	9	"The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga	Safe
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	Order	Song — Judges' Picks^[18]	Order	Song — SAMA Winners^[18]	Result
S’22kile Langa	1	"Diamonds" by Rihanna	5	"Sonini" by Sun-El Musician	Safe
Kevin Maduna	2	"Banyana" by DJ Maphorisa	6	"These Streets" by Mi Casa	Eliminated
Karabo Mathe	3	"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson	7	"Black President" by Brenda Fassie	Safe
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	Order	Song — Duet with Gospel Artist^[19]	Order	Song^[19]	Order	Song^[19]	Result
Berry Trytsman	1	"Basuka" by Ayanda Ntanzi	4	"Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers	7	"Easy on Me" by Adele	Safe
Karabo Mathe	2	"Hallelujah Mdumiseni" by Lebo Sekgobela	5	"Gold" by Beverley Knight	8	"Phakade Lami" by Nomfundo Moh, Sha Sha & Ami Faku	Safe
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	Order	Idols-produced Single^[2]	Order	Audition Song^[2]	Order	Favourite Previous Performance^[2]	Result
Karabo Mathe	1	"Hosanna" by Karabo Mathe	3	"Ndidinge" by Cici	5	"Respect" by Aretha Franklin	Runner-up
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
Act	Group A	Group B	Top 10	Top 9	Top 8	Top 7 (first week)	Top 7 (second week)	Top 6	Top 5	Top 4	Top 3	Top 2
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

References

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

[winner-1] Seemela, Masego (21 November 2021). "Berry sweeps Idols SA judges off their feet". The Sowetan. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[finale-2] "Berry wins 'Idols SA' season 17". IOL. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.

[3] Ferreira, Thinus (6 August 2021). "Somizi Mhlongo to 'take time off' from Idols SA in light of abuse allegations against him". News24. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[4] Madibogo, Julia (23 January 2022). "Idols SA bids farewell to Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi". News24. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[Group_A-5] "Lady Du gets Mzansi's stamp of approval as 'Idols SA' guest judge". IOL. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[Group_B-6] Ngenyane, Andiswa (5 September 2021). "GROUP 2 OF IDOLS TOP 16 TAKES THE STAGE!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 4 February 2022.

[7] Maliba, Amanda (20 September 2021). "'Idols SA' brings some of SA's biggest DJs to join contestants". IOL. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[8] Naidoo, Deepika (20 September 2021). "Mzansi reacts to Ithana dropping out of 'Idols SA' race amid health concerns". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[9] Tjiya, Emmanuel (28 September 2021). "Voted off Idols: Monique will now complete her degree". The Sowetan. Retrieved 4 February 2022.

[10] "Idols 17: Bags packed for Bulelani". TVSA. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[11] Naidoo, Alicia (27 September 2021). "'Idols SA' fans think Dineo Ranaka is an 'amazing fit' for Somizi". The South African. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[12] "'Idols SA' top 7 pay tribute to SA music icons". IOL. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[13] @IdolsSA (3 October 2021). "The multi award-winning, multi-platinum @ZaharaSA performs her proudly South African 'iZolo' before joining the #IdolsSA judging panel!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[top7-14] "'Idols SA' top 7 impresses fans with spectacular showstopper performances". IOL. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[15] Manuel, Marilynn (11 October 2021). "'Idols SA': Fans call Thembi Seete 'female Somizi' after guest appearance". The South African. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[top6-16] "Idols SA top 6 level up as they serenade Kalawa Jazmee's Oskido". Old Mutual. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[top5-17] Mbhele, Sandisiwe (25 October 2021). "Could former 'Uzalo' star Khaya Dladla be a permanent 'Idols SA' judge?". The Citizen. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[top4-18] "'Idols SA' contestants battle it out for top 3 spot". IOL. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[top3-19] Ferreria, Thinus (8 November 2021). "Idols SA season 17 makes history with all-female top three". News24. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[20] "Idols 17: All girl Top 3 as Kevin kaps it home". TVSA. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

[21] Seemela, Masego (17 November 2021). "S'22kile ready to build her music career after Idols SA exit". The Sowetan. Retrieved 3 February 2022.

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