Six said goodbye and 10 remain to tackle the battle to win the title of Idol.
Here's a recap of Sunday's (12 September) episode by Mzansi Magic:
The Top 10, as chosen by voters, are: Berry, Bulelani, Daylin, Ithana, Karabo, Kevin, Monique, Nqobi, S’22kile and Sia Mzizi.
The finalists were announced in an exciting and high energy show that featured live performances from some of South Africa's biggest chart toppers, as well as the Top 16.
Their in-studio audience was made up of contestants’ friends and family, and judges Unathi uWeepy (
Ed) and Randall Abrahams.
The show kicked off with a killer performance by Boohle featuring Busta 929 (and the voice of the late Mpura) performing the hypnotic amapiano jam Amawaza.
The Top 16 performed once more in their two groups, singing as a collective for the final time before they advanced into the next stage of the country’s biggest competition.
Group one gave a spirited performance of Siyathandana by Cassper Nyovest and group two sang a funky rendition of Blaq Diamond’s
Summer YoMuthi.
Keeping the hits coming were Big Zulu and Lwah Ndlunkulu with Umuzi eSandton; Pabi Cooper, Reece Madlisa, Busta 929 and Joocy with the smash hit Isphithiphithi
, and Mthandazo Gatya, whose killer pipes impressed during Uzobizwa.
Randall gave contestants some final words of advice before the knockout stage of the competition begins.
“The next difficult period is the Top 7 [and] Top 8, where it ebbs a bit. People are used to it and they can’t see the finish line. When the show, in your mind, starts to ebb, just think to yourself: ‘There’s still a long way to go, I’ve got to get to the Top 2’.”
Unathi gave advice to those who were leaving: “Everybody’s watching. Everybody wants you. Make the most of it. Just because you didn’t make it to the Top 10, doesn’t mean that it’s the end of your career - it’s only the beginning.”
The show ended on a high note with the artist of the moment, Makhadzi performing her mega-hit Ghanama with Prince Benza.
Next week’s episode will feature the Top 10’s performances with no eliminations.