Idols South Africa

*Idols South Africa*
Idols South Africa
Created by	Simon Fuller
Based on	Pop Idol created by Simon Fuller
Directed by	Mahle Buyelekhaya
Presented by	ProVerb (2010–23); Liezl van der Westhuizen (2009–10); Colin Moss (2003–07); Letoya Makhene (2003); Candy Litchfield (2002); Sami Sabiti (2002); Matt Stewardson (2002);
Judges	Thembi Seete (2022–23); JR (2022–23); Somizi Mhlongo (2015–23); Randall Abrahams (2002–21); Unathi Nkayi (2011–21); Gareth Cliff (2003–16); Mara Louw (2003–10); Dave Thompson (2002–09); Marcus Brewster (2002); Penny Lebyane (2002);
Country of origin	South Africa
Original language	South African languages
No. of seasons	19
No. of episodes	300+
Production
Executive producers	ProVerb; Gavin Wratten;
Running time	2 hours (incl. commercials)
Production companies	MultiChoice; FremantleMedia; 19 Television;
Original release
Network	M-Net; Mzansi Magic;
Release	10 March 2002 –; 4 November 2023
	Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Idols was a television show on the South African television network Mzansi Magic, and previously on M-Net, based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show was a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa.

The general format of the show is that thousands of hopeful performers from across South Africa auditioned in front of the judges. They were narrowed down to approximately 100 to enter the theatre rounds. They performed in group and solo rounds until 16 finalists are chosen by the judges (usually 8 males and 8 females). From these, the top 10 are selected, then each week, viewers had several hours following the broadcast of the previous episode to vote by phone, SMS or online for their favourite contestant. The contestant(s) with the fewest votes was sent home each week.

It was presented by Candy Litchfield and Matthew Stewardson in the first season. Halfway through the season, Stewardson was replaced by Sami Sabiti. After Colin Moss and Letoya Makhene co-hosted the second season, Moss went solo for the third and fourth seasons. Liezl van der Westhuizen became the host in the fifth season, and was sidekicked by ProVerb in the sixth season who hosted the semi-final rounds. ProVerb became the sole presenter from the seventh season until the nineteenth season.

Randall Abrahams, Dave Thompson, Marcus Brewster and Penny Lebyane were the judges in the first season. Judges provide critiques of each contestant's performance. Brewster and Lebyane did not return for the second season and were replaced by Mara Louw-Thomson and Gareth Cliff.Unathi Nkayi replaced Louw-Thomson in the seventh season. Somizi Mhlongo was added to the judging panel in the eleventh season. Cliff left the show after the twelfth season. After several seasons as judges, Abrahams and Nkayi did return for the eighteenth season.^[1] In February 2022, Thembi Seete and JR replaced the two until the nineteenth season.^[2]

In February 2023, it was announced that the nineteenth season would be the last season of the competition.^[3]

In 2006, the show had a spin-off called Afrikaanse Idols on sister channel Kyknet, where exactly the same format was executed. However, the entire programme was in Afrikaans as well as the songs that were performed. There was only one season due to low ratings.^[4] The judges were Mynie Grové, Deon Maas and Taliep Petersen, while the presenter was Sean Paul

^ Madibogo, Julia (23 January 2022). "Idols SA bids farewell to Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi". News24. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
^ Mphande, Joy (16 February 2022). "Thembi Seete and JR join Somizi as 'Idols SA season 18' judges". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
^ Martin, Celeste (6 February 2023). "TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: SHOCK AND JOY AS IDOLS SA GETS CANCELLED". EWN. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
^ "Idols SA's most awkward 'Bye Felicia's'". News24. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

[byejudge-1] Madibogo, Julia (23 January 2022). "Idols SA bids farewell to Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi". News24. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

[newjudge-2] Mphande, Joy (16 February 2022). "Thembi Seete and JR join Somizi as 'Idols SA season 18' judges". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 16 February 2022.

[lastnumber-3] Martin, Celeste (6 February 2023). "TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: SHOCK AND JOY AS IDOLS SA GETS CANCELLED". EWN. Retrieved 31 July 2023.

[4] "Idols SA's most awkward 'Bye Felicia's'". News24. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

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