Clash of the Choirs South Africa is a South African reality singing competition based on the international format devised by Swedish singer Caroline af Ugglas and produced locally by Endemol South Africa which features amateur choirs from seven different provinces, mentored by celebrity musicians, competing for a large cash prize.
Clash of the Choirs South Africa, presented by Bonang Matheba, brings ordinary people with a common passion for singing together, with auditions held in seven provinces.
The format for Clash of the Choirs unleashes new South African choral talent – sopranos, tenors and bass singers who can blend in harmony to make the best of the best choir.
Seven musical celebrities travel to a designated province to audition up-and-coming amateur choirs. The successful choirs return to Johannesburg with their celebrity choirmaster to compete against other celebrity-headed choirs in a nine-week musical bonanza where a large cash prize is up for grabs for the charity of their choice.
The prize in Season 1 was R500,000 (R250,000 for the winning choir and R250,000 to a charity of their choice), upped to R750,000 in Season 2 (R500,000 for the choir and R250,000 for the charity of their choice).
The judging panel constitutes multi-award winning Queen of Gospel, Rebecca Malope, along with Joyous Celebration co-founder Lindelani Mkhize and radio and TV personality Anele Mdoda. The judges monitor the choirs' performances and decide their fate in weekly elimination rounds.
Besides keeping a watchful eye on every note sung, the judges are also tasked with monitoring each choir's technical ensemble and creativity in executing each musical piece, looking for the most polished and nurtured voices.
Seven celebrity choirmasters coach the choirs and prepare them for their battle to secure a spot in the Top 3 to go into the final spectacular live show – where South Africa votes for their favourite amateur choir.
Winner takes all!
The seven choirmasters travel to designated provinces to audition the up-and-coming amateur choirs. They are as follows:
Season 1
Zakes Bantwini (Gauteng)
Zwai Bala (Mpumalanga)
Khaya Mthethwa (KZN)
Judith Sephuma (Limpopo)
Thembi Seete (Free State)
Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse (North West)
Winnie Khumalo (Western Cape)
Season 2
Simphiwe Dana (Eastern Cape)
HHP (Free State)
Lebo "Shugasmakx" Mothibe (Gauteng)
Robbie Malinga (KwaZulu-Natal)
Tshedi Mholo (Limpopo)
Moneoa Moshesh-Sowazi (Mpumalanga)
Ziyon (Western Cape)
Season 3
Penny Penny (Limpopo)
Kelly Khumalo (Gauteng)
iFani (Western Cape)
JR (Free State)
Bucie Nqwiliso (Eastern Cape)
Busiswa Gqul (KwaZulu-Natal)
S'fiso Ncwane (Mpumalanga)
The series is produced by Endemol South Africa, with executive producers Anton Burggraaf and Sivan Pillay. The series producer is Josh Feldman.