Press Release
In a surprising twist, Khanyi Mbau became the fifth celebrity to leave Season Seven of SABC3 hit reality dance show
Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night.
In a shock elimination, the Queen of Bling failed to win enough votes and ended up in the bottom two, forced to dance for her life against former rugby player John Mametsa.
Mbau, who for weeks sat top on the leaderboard with the highest judges’ votes, performed a thrilling Cha Cha with her partner Quintus to Tchelete (Goodlife) by Davido featuring Mafikizolo.
But in the tightest elimination to date, John Mametsa got the audience on their feet when he performed his Cha Cha with partner Nombulelo to I Need to Know by Marc Anthony.
Judge Samantha Peo decided to save John while fellow judge Tebogo Kgobokoe put her vote with Khanyi, describing the two couples’ dance floor joust as “the best dance off so far this season”.
In the end, the deciding vote went to Michael Wentink, who saved John.
“My experience here has taught me discipline, and proved to South Africa that I can stick to something and finish it. They've been asking what I'm famous for, so this leaves a mark for me. I'm grateful for the opportunity and good luck to everyone. Thank you,” said an emotional Khanyi.
Saturday night's results show capped off a thrilling two days of must-see-TV which started on Friday night when the six remaining couples went all out to show off their dance moves.
Singer LeAnne Dlamini and her partner Johannes were the first to put on their dancing shoes, performing the Cha Cha to We Found Love by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris.
John and Nombulelo followed, but their performance to I Need to Know by Marc Anthony failed to impress Tebogo, who pointed out that the rugby player needed to improve his technique.
Isidingo’s Ashish Gangapersad tried his hand at the Charleston to Happy by C2C featuring D Martin with his partner Lindsey this week, again attracting a lukewarm response from the judges.
But the writing was on the wall for Khanyi and Quintus when their turn came, with Tebogo admitting, “there are things I like about that performance, and things I don’t like”.
The night’s standout performances came from Top Billing presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee (who this week played a dancing bartender as he hotfooted through his Charleston to It Don’t Mean A Thing by Lionel Hampton with his partner Hayley) and Leandie Du Randt, who scored the season’s highest score to date for her fiery Ramba with partner Brandon to In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins.
“That was what I call a stellar performance,” chirped Michael to Leandie while Tebogo said the blonde actress gave them “the performance of the season”.
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Strictly SA’ is broadcast on SABC3 every Friday at 20h00 and the results show on Saturdays at 19h00 after the 18h30 news.