Idols South Africa season 19 explained

The nineteenth and final^[1] season of South African Idols premiered on 8 July 2023 on the Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu television networks, under the themes "iLast Number" and "The Farewell Season".^[2] The season was won by Thabo Ndlovu, while Princess MacDonald was the runner-up.

On 5 February 2023, it was announced that auditions for the final season would commence on 12 February 2023.^[3] The live shows began on 19 August 2023, with the ladies taking to stage first.^[4]

Finalists

Contestant		Age	Hometown	Place finished
	Thabo Ndlovu	26	Witbank, Mpumalanga
	Princess MacDonald	24	Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga
	Faith Nakana	26	Lebowakgomo, Limpopo
	Nkosi Shange	29	Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
	Niikiey Kubheka	18	Vosloorus, Gauteng
	Envic Booysen	25	Cape Town, Western Cape
	Thando Mdluli	22	Orange Farm, Gauteng
	Sena Mkhwanazi	28	Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
	Lungelo Motaung	28	Johannesburg, Gauteng
	Lungile Mthethwa	24	Benoni, Gauteng
	Sipho Manana	19	Johannesburg, Gauteng
	Neve Arnolds	22	Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Weekly Song Choice and Results

Top 12: Duets With Former Idols

Ladies (19 August)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Duets With Former Idols[5]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Solo	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Lungile	1	"Not Yet Uhuru" by Letta Mbulu (sung with Yanga)	2	"Intliziyo" by Lloyiso ft. Langa Mavuso	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	3	"Make a Way" by Spirit of Praise ft. Mmatema (sung with Mmatema)	4	"Intliziyo" by Zonke	Safe
scope=row	Neve	5	"Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland (sung with Paxton)	6	"Mirror" by Madison Ryann Ward	Eliminated
scope=row	Lungelo	7	"Safe" by Karabo ft. Tineke (sung with Karabo)	8	"Golden" by Jill Scott	Safe
scope=row	Sena	9	"Lonely Without You" by Lloyiso (sung with Lloyiso)	10	"Sana Lwami" by Woza Sabza ft. Jessica LM	Safe
scope=row	Princess	11	"Xolele" by Musa ft. Zama Khumalo (sung with Musa)	12	"Russian Roulette" by Rihanna	Safe

Gents (26 August)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Duets With Former Idols[6]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Solo	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Thando	1	"Khakhathi" by Karabo (sung with Karabo)	2	"Noma" by Kaylow	Safe
scope=row	Faith	3	"So Will I (100 Billion X)" by Hillsong United (sung with Yanga)	4	"Tjontjobina" by Bhudaza	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	5	"Wozala" by Musa ft. Ntsika & Tshego AMG (sung with Musa)	6	"Nemimoya" by Nathi	Safe
scope=row	Envic	7	"Battleground" by Paxton (sung with Paxton)	8	"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown	Safe
scope=row	Sipho	9	"Seasons" by Lloyiso (with Lloyiso)	10	"Don't Judge Me" by Chris Brown	Eliminated
scope=row	Thabo	11	"My Time Is Now!" by Mmatema (with Mmatema)	12	"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder	Safe

Top 10: New Kids on the Block (2 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song[7]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Nkosi	1	"Ubuhle Bakho" by Ami Faku	Safe
scope=row	Lungile	2	"Mina Nawe" by Soamattrix & Mashudu ft. Happy Jazzman & Emotionz DJ	Eliminated
scope=row	Faith	3	"Imvula" by Murumba Pitch & Omit ST ft. Russell Zuma & Sipho Magudulela	Safe
scope=row	Sena	4	"Ngibambe La" by Mthunzi	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	5	"Umona" by Nomfundo Moh	Safe
scope=row	Envic	6	"ICU" by Coco Jones	Safe
scope=row	Princess	7	"Monalisa" by Lojay, Sarz & Chris Brown	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	8	"Molo" by Aubrey Qwana	Safe
scope=row	Lungelo	9	"Fatela" by Aymos & Ami Faku	Safe
scope=row	Thando	10	"Hamba Juba" by Lady Amar, JL SA, Cici & Murumba Pitch	Safe

Top 9: Ultimate South African Wedding Playlist (9 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song[8]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Niikiey	1	"Mmatswale" by Malaika	Safe
scope=row	Lungelo	2	"At Last" by Etta James	Eliminated
scope=row	Faith	3	"Matswale" by Caiphus Semenya	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	4	"Ekhwan Lami" by Phila Dlozi ft. Mthunzi	Safe
scope=row	Thando	5	"Is This Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers	Safe
scope=row	Princess	6	"Phakade" by Lira	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	7	"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri	Safe
scope=row	Envic	8	"When I First Saw You (Duet)" by Jamie Foxx ft. Beyoncé	Safe
scope=row	Sena	9	"All I Do" by Stevie Wonder	Safe

Top 8: Lionel Richie Playbook (16 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song[9]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Thando	1	"Love, Oh Love" by Lionel Richie	Safe
scope=row	Sena	2	"You Are" by Lionel Richie	Eliminated
scope=row	Envic	3	"I Call It Love" by Lionel Richie	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	4	"Easy" by Commodores	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	5	"We Are the World" by USA for Africa	Safe
scope=row	Princess	6	"Just Go" by Lionel Richie ft. Akon	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	7	"Ballerina Girl" by Lionel Richie	Safe
scope=row	Faith	8	"Penny Lover" by Lionel Richie	Safe

Top 7: Showstopper (23 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song[10]	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Nkosi	1	"Good Kisser" by Usher	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	2	"The Way Ungakhona" by Bongo Maffin	Safe
scope=row	Faith	3	"Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars	Safe
scope=row	Thando	4	"Caught Up" by Usher	Eliminated
scope=row	Princess	5	"Criminal" by DJ Mshega ft. Lady Zamar	Safe
scope=row	Envic	6	"Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	7	"The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson	Safe

• Before the Top 7 performances, Sena had the opportunity to perform Rude Boy by Rihanna.^[10]

Top 6: How to Do It & Grammy-Nominated Songs (30 September)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — How to Do It[11]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Grammy-Nominated Song	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Envic	1	"Nomvula" by Nathi	7	"When a Man Loves a Woman" by Michael Bolton	Eliminated
scope=row	Faith	2	"Best Part" by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.	8	"Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	3	"Inkanyezi" by Mondli Ngcobo	9	"Knock You Down" by Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	4	"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner	10	"In Love With Another Man" by Jazmine Sullivan	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	5	"Kiss from a Rose" by Seal	11	"All of Me" by John Legend	Safe
scope=row	Princess	6	"Dangerously in Love 2" by Beyoncé	12	"Fallin'" by Alicia Keys	Safe

Top 5: Duets With Gospel Stars & Songs by African Stars (7 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Duets With Gospel Stars[12]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Songs by African Stars	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Thabo	1	"Wafika" with Dr Tumi	6	"Peru" by Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran	Safe
scope=row	Princess	2	"Ungukuphila" with Xolly Mncwango	7	"For My Hand" by Burna Boy ft. Ed Sheeran	Safe
scope=row	Niikiey	3	"Ngena Noah" with Betusile Mcinga	8	"Maradona" by Niniola	Eliminated
scope=row	Faith	4	"Healing Power" with Xolly Mncwango	9	"In My Maserati" by Olakira	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	5	"Nomathemba" with Betusile Mcinga	10	"People" by Libianca	Safe

Top 4: PJ Morton's Playlist & Perfect Date Love Songs (14 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — PJ Morton's Playlist[13]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Perfect Date Love Songs	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Princess	1	"On & On" by Erykah Badu	5	"Shayizandla" by Naima Kay	Safe
scope=row	Nkosi	2	"Ordinary People" by John Legend	6	"Sondela" by Ringo Madlingozi	Eliminated
scope=row	Faith	3	"Love" by Musiq Soulchild	7	"Bekezela" by Bekezela	Safe
scope=row	Thabo	4	"Kiss" by Prince	8	"Ndinike Indawo" by Jaziel Brothers	Safe

Top 3: DJ Collaboration, Song of the Season & Hits From Their Idols (21 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — DJ Collaboration[14]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Song of the Season	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Hits From Their Idols	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Thabo	1	"Inde" by Heavy-K ft. Bucie & Nokwazi	4	"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder	7	"You Are" by Hle	Safe
scope=row	Faith	2	"Piano Ngijabulise" by Deep London ft. Nkosazana Daughter, Murumba Pitch & Jandak1	5	"Tjontjobina" by Bhudaza	8	"Thrrr...Phaaa!" by Selaelo Selota	Eliminated
scope=row	Princess	3	"Hamba Wena" by Deep London ft. Boohle	6	"Russian Roulette" by Rihanna	9	"Listen" by Beyoncé	Safe

Top 2: Idols-Produced Single, Viewers' Choice & Mzansi Classics (28 October)

Act!scope"col"

Order	scope"col"	Song — Idols-Produced Single[15]	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Viewers' Choice	scope"col"	Order	scope"col"	Song — Mzansi Classics	scope"col"	Result
scope=row	Princess	1	"You Know I Do" by Princess MacDonald	3	"Fallin'" by Alicia Keys	5	"Umqombothi" by Yvonne Chaka Chaka	Runner-up
scope=row	Thabo	2	"iSlungu" by Thabo Ndlovu	4	"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri	6	"Lakutshon' Ilanga" by Miriam Makeba	Winner

• Before his elimination, Faith Nakana performed his single "Khulumela".^[15]

Elimination Chart

Colour key

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

Weekly results per act

Act	Top 12		Top 10	Top 9	Top 8	Top 7	Top 6	Top 5	Top 4	Top 3	Top 2: Finale
	Ladies	Gents
Thabo Ndlovu		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Winner
Princess MacDonald	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Runner-up
Faith Nakana		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	3rd place	Eliminated
Nkosi Shange		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	4th place	Eliminated
Niikiey Kubheka	Safe		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	5th place	Eliminated
Envic Booysen		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	6th place	Eliminated
Thando Mdluli		Safe	Safe	Safe	Safe	7th place	Eliminated
Sena Mkhwanazi	Safe		Safe	Safe	8th place	Eliminated
Lungelo Motaung	Safe		Safe	9th place	Eliminated
Lungile Mthethwa	Safe		10th place	Eliminated
Sipho Manana		11th place	Eliminated
Neve Arnolds	12th place	Eliminated

Notes and References

1. Web site: Final season of Idols SA to premiere in July. Maako. Keitumetse. News24. 23 June 2023. 31 July 2023.
2. Web site: ‘Idols SA’s iLast Number’ farewell season to air on Saturday. The Citizen. Mbayimbayi. Asanda. 4 July 2022. 31 July 2023.
3. Web site: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE: SHOCK AND JOY AS IDOLS SA GETS CANCELLED. Martin. Celeste. EWN. 6 February 2023. 31 July 2023.
4. Web site: Engelbrecht . Leandra . It's now or never: Who will be the last-ever Idols SA winner? Meet the final top 12 . . 22 August 2023. 12 September 2023.
5. Web site: Valentine . Venecia . ‘Idols SA’ season 19 first live show ended on a high note with the Top 12 ladies duetting with former winners . . 22 August 2023. 22 August 2023.
6. Web site: Mbayimbayi . Asanda . 'Idols SA' gents battle it out for top 10 . The Citizen . 29 August 2023 . en . 28 August 2023.
7. Web site: Ngcobo . Nokuthula . Meet 'Idols SA's' last-ever top 10 . . 4 September 2023 . en-ZA . 3 September 2023.
8. Web site: Valentine . Venecia . Romance was the order of the day as ‘Idols SA’ Top 9 serenaded South Africa . . 12 September 2023. 12 September 2023.
9. Web site: ‘Idols SA’ Top 8 holds Mzansi’s attention in Lionel Richie tribute show . . 19 September 2023 . 18 September 2023.
10. Web site: ‘Idols SA’ Top 7 unveiled in showstopper finale . . 26 September 2023. 30 September 2023.
11. Web site: Tlhoaele . Kgalalelo . Idols top 6 show what they're made of . . 1 October 2023 . 30 September 2023.
12. Web site: Tiwane . Bonginkosi . Church comes to the Idols SA stage as Top 5 perform Gospel songs . . 10 October 2023 . en . 8 October 2023.
13. Web site: Nhlapo . Veli . IN PICS Idols SA's final four tackle PJ Morton's favourite tunes . . 15 October 2023. 18 October 2023 . en-ZA.
14. Web site: Halalalala! — Meet your 'Idols SA' top 3 Princess, Thabo and Faith . . 23 October 2023 . en-ZA . 22 October 2023.
15. Web site: Seemela . Masego . Thabo Ndlovu, Princess MacDonald will face off in the finale of Idols SA . . 31 October 2023 . en-ZA . 30 October 2023.