Publications
Nozipho Sibiya gave her all on Sunday evening after securing the ninth spot during the Idols SA top 10 announcement at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.
The singer’s rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s Giving Myself won over the live audience, viewers, as well as the judges. She received a standing ovation, accompanied by screams, tears from Thembi Seete, and Somizi Mhlongo could not help but take to the stage to snatch a microphone off her hands to give her the “whoo-shem!”
The difficult-to-impress Thabo “JR” Bogopa said:
The singer, who is a returnee on Idols SA, said the comments from the judges helped her to be where she was. She said the judges had always advised her to make wise song choices that would help her connect with the audience.
“The pressure is a lot, but what I always tell myself is that ‘you have rehearsed, you have put in the work, and it is time to deliver’. The nerves get into you but you just shut the noise, and the more you are confident in yourself, trusting the work that you’ve put in, beautiful things can happen,” said Sibiya.
“I am always up for the challenge, so I went back and said ‘stay true to yourself, stay true to your emotions and choose the songs that you can express yourself more on’.”
The show received over 7.5 million votes, with Hope Mkhwanazi and Nandipha Moncho being booted out. The people’s least favourite, Lerato Matsabu, fought for her spot and remained in the show after she was deemed unworthy of being in the top 12.
READ: Phumlani S Langa | Why we aren't falling for publicity stunts anymore
She performed I Can’t Make You Love Me by Tank – a perfect dedication to Twitter keyboard warriors.
Matsabu told City Press that she had to fight hard to remain in the competition.
“I had to prove myself. I had to work 10 times more than the other contestants. It is also because I am an HR by profession, so music kind of took a back banner in my life.” Matsabu said:
The 27-year-old said she was happy about making it to the top 10.
“Although I am scared of what people are going to say, that is not going to deter me from the journey that God has put in my life. I am just going to focus and do the best that I can. I know that there is something that God wants to unleash in me, so I am just going to let it be and let God do the work.”
Idols SA’s executive producer and director Gavin Wratten said there were measures put in place to assist contestants with regards to cyberbullying.
“Social media is a real beast, but we have people who guide them. We can’t stop people from putting them online, but we have people to support them. If they need someone, they have people to whom they can speak.” Wratten said:
The other contestants who remained in the show were Noxolo Mthethwa, whose votes were very close to Sibiya’s, and could be her biggest competition; Sthembiso “Ceejay” Ntshangase, Kabelo Makhetha, Lerato Matsabu, Mpilwenhle Mokopu, Tesmin-Robyn Khanye, Thapelo Molomo, Karl “Ty Loner” Swarts and JR’s favourite, Zikhona “Zee” Dyasi, who is the youngest contestant.
Idols SA is on Mzansi Magic, Channel 161, on Sundays at 5pm.
