Idols South Africa (season 17)
# Idols South Africa (season 17)

The seventeenth season of South African Idols premiered on 11 July 2021 and concluded on 21 November 2021 on the Mzansi Magic television network. The season was won by Berry Trytsman and the runner-up was Karabo Mathe.

The season saw judge Somizi Mhlongo being asked to "take time off" from the show to deal with domestic abuse allegations against him. This resulted in him only appearing in the first few pre-recorded episodes and none of the live ones. He was replaced by a guest judge each week for the rest of the season.

After 17 and 11 years as judges respectively, it was announced shortly before the start of the eighteenth season that Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi would not be returning to the show.

## Finalists

| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Place finished |
| - | - | - | - |
| Berry Trytsman | 30 | Cape Town, Western Cape | Winner |
| Karabo Mathe | 21 | Hebron, North West | Runner-up |
| S'22kile Langa | 20 | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal | 3rd |
| Kevin Maduna | 28 | Soweto, Gauteng | 4th |
| Daylin Sass | 23 | Hanover Park, Western Cape | 5th |
| Nqobie Linda | 28 | Soweto, Gauteng | 6th |
| Sia Mzizi | 20 | Tsakane, Gauteng | 7th |
| Bulelani Twala | 18 | Heidelberg, Gauteng | 8th |
| Monique Erens | 25 | Cape Town, Western Cape | 9th |
| Ithana Conjwa | 23 | Cala, Eastern Cape | 10th |
| Zukisa Mashiqa | 16 | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal | 11th–13th |
| Siya Motloung | 21 | Katlehong, Gauteng | 11th–13th |
| Misty Makhene | 30 | Vosloorus, Gauteng | 11th–13th |
| Andiswa Zondi | 18 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | 14th–16th |
| Sinovuyo Mbhele | 20 | Vosloorus, Gauteng | 14th–16th |
| Tesmin-Robyn Khanye | 23 | Katlehong, Gauteng | 14th–16th |

## Weekly Song Choice and Result

### Top 16: The Biggest Hits of Today

**Group A (29 August)**

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Andiswa Zondi | 1 | "Midnight Sky" by Miley Cyrus | Eliminated |
| Bulelani Twala | 2 | "Attention" by Charlie Puth | Wild Card |
| Sinovuyo Mbhele | 3 | "Pick Up Your Feelings" by Jazmine Sullivan | Eliminated |
| Nqobie Linda | 4 | "Hard Place" by H.E.R | Safe |
| Sia Mzizi | 5 | "Heartbreak Anniversary" by Giveon | Safe |
| Tesmin-Robyn | 6 | "Before I Let Go" by Beyoncé | Eliminated |
| Daylin Sass | 7 | "Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 8 | "You Say" by Lauren Daigle | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Lady Du

**Group B (5 September)**

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Siya Motloung | 1 | "In Your Eyes" by The Weeknd | Eliminated |
| Zukisa Mashiqa | 2 | "Distance" by Yebba | Eliminated |
| Misty Makhene | 3 | "Dying 4 Your Love" by Snoh Aalegra | Eliminated |
| Karabo Mathe | 4 | "Stand Up for Something" by Andra Day | Safe |
| S’22kile Langa | 5 | "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha | Safe |
| Monique Erens | 6 | "I'll Never Love Again" by Lady Gaga | Safe |
| Ithana Conjwa | 7 | "Forgive Me" by Chloe x Halle | Wild Card |
| Kevin Maduna | 8 | "Peaches" by Justin Bieber | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Buhle Mda

### Top 10 (Top 9): Battle of the DJs (19 September)

This round saw contesants perform hit songs by five DJs: DJ Cleo, Prince Kaybee, Sun-El Musician, De Mthuda and DJ Sumbody.

Ithana Conjwa withdrew from the competition due to health reasons a day before performing in the non-elimination round broadcast on 12 September. This meant that the top 10 round immediately became the top 9 round.

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Bulelani Twala | 1 | "Iyamemeza" by DJ Sumbody feat. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys | Safe |
| Monique Erens | 2 | "Charlotte" by Prince Kaybee feat. Lady Zamar | Eliminated |
| Daylin Sass | 3 | "Friend Zone" by Prince Kaybee feat. Ziyon | Safe |
| S’22kile Langa | 4 | "Wamuhle" by De Mthuda feat. Njelic & Boohle | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 5 | "Choose To Be Happy" by DJ Cleo feat. Mmatema | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 6 | "Piki Piki" by DJ Sumbody feat. Cassper Nyovest & Kaylow | Safe |
| Nqobie Linda | 7 | "Akanamali" by Sun-El Musician feat. Samthing Soweto | Safe |
| Sia Mzizi | 8 | "Emlanjeni" by De Mthuda & Sir Trill feat. Da Muziqal Chef | Safe |
| Karabo Mathe | 9 | "Gcina Impilo Yam" by DJ Cleo feat. Bucy Radebe | Safe |
| Ithana Conjwa | 10 | "Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki | Withdrew |

### Top 8 (26 September)

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Karabo Mathe | 1 | "When I See U" by Fantasia | Safe |
| Nqobie Linda | 2 | "Uthando" by Soa Mattrix & Soulful G feat. Shaun 101 | Safe |
| S’22kile Langa | 3 | "Xola Moya Wam" by Nomcebo Zikode feat. Master KG | Safe |
| Sia Mzizi | 4 | "Dream About You" by Loyiso Gijana | Safe |
| Daylin Sass | 5 | "Yummy" by Justin Bieber | Safe |
| Bulelani Twala | 6 | "Uyeke" by Heavy K feat. Natalia Mabaso | Eliminated |
| Berry Trytsman | 7 | "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 8 | "Case" by Teni | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Dineo Ranaka

### Top 7

**Top 7: Mzansi Greats (3 October)**

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Karabo Mathe | 1 | "Paradise Road" by Joy | Safe |
| Daylin Sass | 2 | "Take Your Love" by Steve Kekana | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 3 | "I'd Like" by Freshlyground | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 4 | "Nguwe" by Malaika | Safe |
| Sia Mzizi | 5 | "Sondela" by Ringo Madlingozi | Safe |
| S'22kile Langa | 6 | "No No No Senor" by Brenda Fassie | Safe |
| Nqobie Linda | 7 | "I Love Music" by Lebo Mathosa | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Zahara

**Top 7: Showstopper (11 October)**

On 11 October, it was announced that there would be no elimination that week, and would resume the following week. All seven contestants went on to perform their prepared showstopper songs.

| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| S'22kile Langa | 1 | "Dance for You" by Beyoncé | Safe |
| Sia Mzizi | 2 | "John Wick" by De Mthuda feat. Sir Trill & Da Muziqal Chef | Eliminated |
| Karabo Mathe | 3 | "Respect" by Aretha Franklin | Safe |
| Daylin Sass | 4 | "LaLaLa" by Black Coffee feat. Usher | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 5 | "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Christina Aguilera | Safe |
| Nqobie Linda | 6 | "Dance like We're Making Love" by Ciara | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 7 | "We Dance Again" by Black Coffee feat. Nakhane Touré | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Thembi Seete

### Top 6: Oskido's Playlist & Max Martin's Songbook (17 October)

| Act | Order | Song — Oskido's Playlist | Order | Song — Max Martin's Songbook | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Berry Trytsman | 1 | "Power" by Amanda Black | 7 | "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 2 | "Ubomi Abumanga" by Sun-El Musician feat. Msaki | 8 | "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi | Safe |
| Nqobie Linda | 3 | "Feelings" by Zonke | 9 | "Please Don't Leave Me" by Pink | Eliminated |
| S'22kile Langa | 4 | "Ntyilo Ntyilo" by Rethabile Khumalo feat. Master KG | 10 | "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" by Adele | Safe |
| Karabo Mathe | 5 | "Ngeke Balunge" by Mafikizolo | 11 | "Perfect" by Pink | Safe |
| Daylin Sass | 6 | "Something Inside So Strong" by Lira | 12 | "Pillowtalk by Zayn | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Oskido

### Top 5: Mzansi Gay Choir (24 October)

| Act | Order | Song — Unplugged | Order | Song — LGBTQI+ Allies | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Karabo Mathe | 1 | "Thandwa Ndim" by Amanda Black | 6 | "River Deep – Mountain High" by Tina Turner | Safe |
| Daylin Sass | 2 | "Fairytale" by Liquideep | 7 | "Whataya Want from Me" by Adam Lambert | Eliminated |
| S’22kile Langa | 3 | "Easy to Love" by Bucie | 8 | "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 4 | "Happy" by Craig Lucas | 9 | "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 5 | "Mnike" by Afrotraction | 10 | "As" by Stevie Wonder | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Khaya Dladla

### Top 4: Judges' Picks & SAMA Winners (31 October)

| Act | Order | Song — Judges' Picks | Order | Song — SAMA Winners | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| S’22kile Langa | 1 | "Diamonds" by Rihanna | 5 | "Sonini" by Sun-El Musician | Safe |
| Kevin Maduna | 2 | "Banyana" by DJ Maphorisa | 6 | "These Streets" by Mi Casa | Eliminated |
| Karabo Mathe | 3 | "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson | 7 | "Black President" by Brenda Fassie | Safe |
| Berry Trytsman | 4 | "No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande | 8 | "Hold Your Kite" by GoldFish and Sorana | Safe |

* Guest Judge: Kelly Khumalo

### Top 3: Gospel Duet (7 November)

| Act | Order | Song — Duet with Gospel Artist | Order | Song | Order | Song | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Berry Trytsman | 1 | "Basuka" by Ayanda Ntanzi | 4 | "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers | 7 | "Easy on Me" by Adele | Safe |
| Karabo Mathe | 2 | "Hallelujah Mdumiseni" by Lebo Sekgobela | 5 | "Gold" by Beverley Knight | 8 | "Phakade Lami" by Nomfundo Moh, Sha Sha & Ami Faku | Safe |
| S'22kile Langa | 3 | "Mhlekazi" by Hlengiwe Mhlaba | 6 | "Mina Nawe" by Amanda Black | 9 | "Woman" by Doja Cat | Eliminated |

* Guest Judge: Judith Sephuma
* Before his elimination, Kevin Maduna got a chance to perform his gospel duet song "Ukuhlala Kuye" with Dumi Mkokstad.

### Top 2 (14 November)

| Act | Order | Idols-produced Single | Order | Audition Song | Order | Favourite Previous Performance | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Karabo Mathe | 1 | "Hosanna" by Karabo Mathe | 3 | "Ndidinge" by Cici | 5 | "Respect" by Aretha Franklin | Runner-up |
| Berry Trytsman | 2 | "Ungowami" by Berry Trytsman | 4 | "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman | 6 | "Something's Got a Hold on Me" by Christina Aguilera" | Winner |

* Guest Judge: Msaki
* Before her elimination, S'22kile performed her single "Falling".

## Elimination Chart

### Colour key

| – | Winner |
| - | - |
| – | Runner-up |
| – | Eliminated |
| – | Wild Card |
| – | Withdrew |

Weekly results per act :

| Act | Top 16 | Top 16 | Top 10 | Top 9 | Top 8 | Top 7 (first week) | Top 7 (second week) | Top 6 | Top 5 | Top 4 | Top 3 | Top 2 |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Act | Group A | Group B | Top 10 | Top 9 | Top 8 | Top 7 (first week) | Top 7 (second week) | Top 6 | Top 5 | Top 4 | Top 3 | Top 2 |
| Berry Trytsman | Safe | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Winner |
| Karabo Mathe | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Runner-up |
| S'22kile | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 3rd place | Eliminated |
| Kevin Maduna | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 4th place | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Daylin Sass | Safe | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 5th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Nqobie Linda | Safe | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 6th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Sia Mzizi | Safe | — | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 7th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Bulelani Twala | Wild Card | — | Safe | Safe | 8th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Monique Erens | — | Safe | Safe | 9th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Ithana Conjwa | — | Wild Card | 10th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Zukisa Mashiqa | — | 11th/13th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Siya Motloung | — | 11th/13th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Misty Makhene | — | 11th/13th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Andiswa Zondi | 14th/16th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Sinovuyo Mbhele | 14th/16th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| Tesmin-Robyn Khanye | 14th/16th place | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated | Eliminated |
