JOHANNESBURG - KwaZulu-Natal’s three Idols hopefuls all made it to the Top 10 on Sunday, ending days of nerves, keeping their young dreams alive for the coveted top prize.
The three - Nosipho Silinda, 18, Zama “Xae” Memela and Mthokozisi Ngcobo, 20, glided into the Top 10.
More than 9 millions were registered in the Top 16 stage of the competition and the three KZN hopefuls were never in danger of elimination as they were safely in the Top 8 most registered votes.
Initially, judges had been given a wildcard to fill the remaining two spots in the Top 10, but they allowed the viewers to have their say, and the eventual Top 10 were for those who received the most votes.
Asked how their nerves were ahead of the announcements, they said:
“My head was all over the place ahead of the announcement, even a second before they said I was going through it was even worse,” revealed the uMlazi-born Ngcobo.
Silinda of Ladysmith, one of the youngest hopefuls this season, and Xae, of Pinetown, also revealed they had nerves going into the big show on Sunday.
“I was super nervous and when I got the results I feel like my heart stopped,” said Silinda.
Said Xae: “I was extremely nervous before we got the results, because you know you performed at your best and you give it your all, but at the end of the day, it’s South Africa who gets to decide. I knew that anything could happen and I am really grateful that I did make it and to stay in this competition, I want to stay true to myself”.
#IdolsSA Girls Top 16 💃💃💃 #IdolsTop10 pic.twitter.com/a93FGCSK4D
— Sunday Tribune 🗞 (@SundayTribuneSA) September 9, 2018
The Boys just killed it on stage with a Bruno Mars rendition 🔥 - some of them are going home tonight thou 😢 #IdolsSA #IdolsTop10 @IdolsSA pic.twitter.com/9BJDf1eYw4
— Sunday Tribune 🗞 (@SundayTribuneSA) September 9, 2018
The KZN province has a long history of Idols victors and runner ups who push to the end, including the likes of past winners like of Lloyd Cele, Khaya Mthethwa, Vincent Bones, Noma Khumalo and Mthokozisi Ndaba in recent times.
The three remaining lights for the province said they would push themselves further.
“With regards to making to the Top 3, I will do the best that I can and leave my heart on the floor each time I perform, (and the rest) it’s upto South Africa,” said the young Silinda, a Grade 11 pupil at Harvest High School.
“I’m going to make sure I do the best every week, make sure that I push myself each and every week”.
#IdolsSA Top 10 man Mthokozisi Ngcobo thanks fans for the support @mtpngcobo #IdolsMthokozisi @IdolsSA pic.twitter.com/YEsrQGRZ4W
— Sunday Tribune 🗞 (@SundayTribuneSA) September 9, 2018
Meanwhile, the other seven singers to make it to the Top 10 were 17-year-old Yanga Sobetwa, the youngest hopeful, Thando Mngomezulu, Ntokozo Makhathini, the tearful Niyaaz Arendse, Lincoln Lewis, Thato Makape and King B.
The Top 10 for Idols this season was determined solely by the fans, after the judges waived their opportunity to pick the remaining two contestants to make up the Top 10.
Idols producer and presenter, Proverb, said at the press conference that it showed that the fans were the priority.
“This is an indication of where the priorities are, the judges sure, they give comments and give views and advice, but ultimately, it’s upto to the voters,” he said.
Randall says the judges have decided not to save anyone. The Idols contestants with the 9th and 10th most votes will join the Top 10.
😅 Should have been like this in the first place 🍹 #IdolsSA #IdolsTop10 @IdolsSA pic.twitter.com/lDPz5Yh9Do
— Sunday Tribune 🗞 (@SundayTribuneSA) September 9, 2018
This is your Top 10 #IDOLSSA #IdolsTop10 pic.twitter.com/Kw5l1yk6Gu
— Sunday Tribune 🗞 (@SundayTribuneSA) September 9, 2018