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Millions of South Africans made their voice heard when they chose the top 10 finalist for the 14th season of Idols SA. In a roller coaster episode last night the official top 10 were announced at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
The singing competition boasted with more than nine million votes for the first five live shows. All three Cape Town finalists in the top 16, made it the top 10. Yanga Sobetwa (17), Lincoln Lewis (22) and Niyaaz Arendse (22) are all vying for the top spot.
Could Cape Town take the win again?
All the finalists were in good spirits after the show. Having auditioned three times, Niyaaz Arendse had to wait until the very end. “I bawled my eyes out, I’m sure you guys can see what this means to me. I’m happy to be in the top 10 and I’m thanking everyone who voted for me.”
Lincoln Lewis told the media some of the highlights of the season included the love and support from the viewers on all the social media platforms. “The beautiful comments I got from the judges, from Somiszi and Unathi and also Randal. I didn't expect him to say anything nice about me.”
The youngest finalist in the competition says she is ready to work hard. “This definitely means a lot to me, it means whenever I release a new album people will be able to hear it.”
The top 10 finalists for season 14
Basimane Boys Melato aka King B (19) was the first to hear the magic words “You’re in the Top 10!” from host Proverb. The HR student from Kagiso has been a firm favourite since his dazzling Theatre Week performance that saw him get a standing ovation, which he followed up with another crowd-pleasing performance during the Top 16 Boys show. He reciprocated the love with his now trademark vosho…as Kings do!
The teenagers are certainly not here to play.
Yanga Sobetwa (17) is flying the Generation Z flag high and proud. Following the footsteps of last season’s teen victor, Paxton, Season 14’s youngest contestant has stepped out of the Cape Town township of Langa straight into the national spotlight. Could she be next star from Langa, like the timeless Brenda Fassie?
Nosipho Silinda (18) recently celebrated her birthday in the Idols house, and South Africa gifted the Grade 11 pupil from Ladysmith in KZN with a spot in the Top 10.
Ntokozo Makhathini (18) must be drinking the same Witbank water as her neighbour, Idols season nine winner Musa. Whatever it is, she’s keeping her small town on the map with her inclusion in the Top 10. It looks like her passion for conservation tourism will have to wait a little longer.
Zamagambu Memela aka Xae (19) made Idols history by becoming the first contestant to get a Golden Ticket autographed – by all the judges. While that was a sweet but meaningless gesture, making it into the Top 10 is a big deal for the youngster from Pinetown, Durban.
Thando Mngomezulu (19) finally overcame her crippling lack of confidence to give a dynamite performance that saw the country showing their appreciation with votes. South Africa spoke, the judges listened, and Thando from Jozi made it to the Top 10.
Mthokozisi Nqcobo (20) may have had only two pairs of shoes when he first auditioned, but his spot in the Top 10 proves walking in them to the audition was worth it. The Umlazi, Durban, native is finally on stage doing what he says heals his heart – singing.
Thato Makape (23) is the epitome of courage and determination, as his inclusion in the Top 10 proves. A barber from Postmasburg in the Northern, Makape travelled nearly 10 000km for an audition in Cape Town. Tonight, South Africa showed him that the journey was worth it.
Lincoln Lewis (22) from Ravensmead on the Cape Flats has been bringing fire every time he steps on stage. After being told he had given judges “the best audition of the season so far”, he went on to impress during Theatre Week and received a unanimous thumbs-up for his Top 16 performance. Now South Africa wants to see more.
Niyaaz Arendse (22) snatched the last spot in the Top 10. After many years of rejection on the show, it was no wonder the youngster from Ottery, Cape Town, was so overcome with emotion. It was on this emotional high that the curtain came down on tonight’s show.
Graig-Lee Smith