Nine finalists performed on Idols on Sunday night (19 September) after Top 10 finalist Ithana Conjwa suddenly left the competition for undisclosed medical reasons.
As the show started, M-Net issued this statement just after 17h00:
Idols SA Top 10 finalist Ithana has withdrawn from the competition due to medical reasons.
The 22-year-old will not participate in the highly anticipated battle of the DJs performances this evening.
“As M-Net, we wish her a speedy recovery. It is unfortunate that she cannot continue in the competition but her health is of paramount importance. I know that this would not be the last time South Africans see her on their screens," said Local Channels Entertainment Director, Nomsa Philiso.
Voting for tonight’s episode will continue as planned.
Here's a recap of what happened afterwards by Mzansi Magic:
Sunday's Idols SA live show was a nod to a uniquely South African music genre as the contestants shared the stage with South Africa’s most celebrated DJs, fronting some of their greatest amapiano hits.
Despite the disappointing news that Top 10 contestant Ithana had to leave the competition due to health reasons, the remaining Idols contestants had Mzansi grooving as they performed to show that they are the real deal.
The studio was brimming with energy as the Top 9 brought their best to the collaborations with the likes of Prince Kaybee, DJ Cleo and Sun-EL Musician.
But for their best efforts, judge Randall Abrahams was underwhelmed by most of the performances, saying contestants Bulelani, Daylin Sass and Monique seemed as if they were performing in a school concert, while he said others, including S’22Kile and Berry, tended to over-sing.
However, fellow judge Unathi uWeepy (
Ed) did not agree with him on some of the performers, saying Bulelani’s collaboration with DJ Sumbody was a great start for a challenging theme.
“I have nothing to critique you on negatively,” she said after Bulelani’s rendition of Iyamemeza.
On Monique’s performance of Prince Kaybee’s Charlotte, originally sung by Lady Zamar, Unathi said she loved how dynamic the performance was. “You made it yours without taking away from the original.”
And while Randall commended Nqobie’s performance of Sun-El Musician’s Akanamali, Unathi felt the DJ has commanded more attention.
Likewise, there were standout performances that both Randall and Unathi agreed on. Both judges were impressed with Siya Mzizi, who sang Emlanjeni, accompanied by De Mthuda.
“You inhabited the song,” Randall said, with Unathi saying the performance was brilliant.
Kevin’s collaboration with DJ Sumbody was also received positively. His rendition of Piki Piki ticked all the right boxes, with Randall saying he was doing all the right things to win votes and Unathi calling him a dream to watch.
Closing off the show on a high note, Karabo had the judges united as they both agreed she done justice to DJ Cleo’s Gcina Mpilo Yami.
Voting for the Top 8 is open and closes at 22h00 on Tuesday 21 September 2021.