The seventeenth season of South African ''
Idols'' premiered on 11 July 2021 and concluded on 21 November 2021 on the
Mzansi Magic
Mzansi Magic is a South African digital satellite and general entertainment channel created by Multichoice and run by M-Net's local interest division, and is broadcast on DStv.
History
The channel launched in mid-July 2010 on channel 107 as M- ...
television network. The season was won by Berry Trytsman and the runner-up was Karabo Mathe.
The season saw judge
Somizi Mhlongo
Somizi Buyani Mhlongo (born 23 December 1972) is a South African media personality, television presenter, actor and choreographer. In 1992, he appeared on the musical and political film, '' Sarafina!'' which gained him prominence. Mhlongo becam ...
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
Weekly Song Choice and Result
Top 16: The Biggest Hits of Today
Group A (29 August)
* Guest Judge: Lady Du
Group B (5 September)
* 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
Tlou Cleopas Monyepao (born January 17, 1980), professionally known as DJ Cleo, is a South African Kwaito, House music and Hip hop producer. He was born in Gauteng.
DJ Cleo has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the South African music indu ...
,
Prince Kaybee,
Sun-El Musician
Sanele Tresure Sithole (born 28 March 1989), known professionally as Sun-El Musician, is a South African disc jockey, music producer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Mooi River. He attended University of KwaZulu-Natal but dropped out to purs ...
,
De Mthuda
Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, known commonly by his stage name De Mthuda, is a South African record producer and DJ. He is best known for his singles "Shesha Geza" and "John Wick ".
Early life and career
De Mthuda was born in Vosloorus, Johannesburg. ...
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.
Top 8 (26 September)
* Guest Judge:
Dineo Ranaka
Dineo Ranaka (born 16 December 1983) is a South Africa, South African radio personality, television presenter, actress, DJ and TV producer.
Dineo is a seasoned and experienced radio broadcaster, she started her career at 5FM in 2003 presentin ...
Top 7
Top 7: Mzansi Greats (3 October)
* 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.
* Guest Judge:
Thembi Seete
Thembi Seete (born 25 March 1977), is a South African actress, singer, rapper, television presenter and model. She is best known as a member of former kwaito group ''Boom Shaka''. Currently, she plays the role of "Gladys" in the Mzansi Magic tel ...
Top 6:
Oskido
Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa (born 29 November 1967) is a South African recording artist, DJ, record producer and businessman. Having been in the music industry for over 26 years, Oskido has reached a prominent status in the South African mus ...
's Playlist & Max Martin's Songbook (17 October)
* Guest Judge:
Oskido
Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa (born 29 November 1967) is a South African recording artist, DJ, record producer and businessman. Having been in the music industry for over 26 years, Oskido has reached a prominent status in the South African mus ...
Top 5: Mzansi Gay Choir (24 October)
* Guest Judge:
Khaya Dladla
Khaya Dladla (born 3 April 1990), is a South African actor, model and musician. He is best known for the role "GC" in the television soapie ''Uzalo''. and now currently playing a role of Lazarus on House Of Zwide
Personal life
Dladla was born o ...
Top 4: Judges' Picks & SAMA Winners (31 October)
* Guest Judge:
Kelly Khumalo
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born November 11, 1982) is a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Born and raised in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, she was discovered while performing at a gospel talent search and signed a record deal with ...
Top 3: Gospel Duet (7 November)
* 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)
* Guest Judge:
Msaki
Asanda Lusaseni Mvana(born 31 December 1988) known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music ...
* Before her elimination, S'22kile performed her single "Falling".
Elimination Chart
;Colour key
References
{{Idols South Africa
Season 17
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...
2021 South African television seasons