We’re down to the Top 5 and Cape Town is still standing with two talented contenders vying for the Idols season 14 crown.
On Sunday evening it was goodbye for Nosipho Silinda from Ladysmith as she took her final bow before the judges - which included none other than guest judge Mathew Knowles.
Beyoncé’s toppie, who is currently in South Africa to promote his latest book, The Emancipation of Slaves Through Music, commented on each performance.
After 11 million votes over the past week, our Delft meisie Yanga Sobetwa, 16, and Niyaaz Arendse, 22, from Ottery, knocked Mathew’s socks off with this week’s theme, How It Should Have Been Done.
The contestants took songs butchered by Wooden Mic contenders, with Niyaaz performing his favourite Sam Smith track Too Good At Goodbyes, and Robin Thicke’s Lost Without You.
Unathi said she would “love” for someone to sing to her like that every day; Knowles said he’d chosen great songs; Somizi enjoyed himself; and Randall said the only thing Niyaaz had to think about was how to pick up the votes from fans of the Fallen Idols.
Niyaaz says he was overcome with emotion in the presence of Mathew.
“I couldn’t believe I was standing next to Beyoncé’s father, this man is huge,” he said.
“During the time we were alone, he came over to me and said, ‘This is the man’. That just pulled at my heartstrings and made me feel so good.”
Yanga, who all the judges predicted would make the final two, chose What Is Love by the Empire cast and Whitney Houston’s eternal I Will Always Love You.
“That was unbelievably beautiful,” gushed Somizi. Randall praised her song choices and her “fantastic” interpretation of Whitney’s evergreen classic.
“You were a star!” declared Mathew.
Yanga said: “I already knew I’m a star, but for Mathew to proclaim it. Gosh, that’s amazing.”
The two Kaapse contenders will be joined by Thando Mngomezulu and King B from Johannesburg, and Tato Makape from the Northern Cape in the final rounds of the competition.
Idols SA is on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161, on Sundays at 5pm.