The Idols SA dreams of Zahn-Reece, Qhawe, Ethan, Dee, Jerodine and Melanin came to an end on Sunday night after they were eliminated.
ZanoThando, Brandon, Succedor, Mr Music, Zama, Ntokozo, Be, Bongi, Jooma and Ndoni advanced to the top 10.
Sowetan correctly predicted five (ZanoThando, Brandon, Ntokozo, Be and Bongi) of the top 10 hopefuls.
Fan-favourite Zama said she was still in a state of disbelief on Monday morning that South Africans voted her into the top 10.
The 19-year-old singer from Emalahleni said she went into the night thinking that her rendition of Tori Kelly’s Crazy was not enough to get her to the next round.
“I’m still shocked, but above all excited. It’s unbelievable. I feel blessed and honoured. I was so nervous last night I thought I was going to faint on that stage,” Zama said.
“Although I was satisfied with my performance, I had this worry at the back of my mind that the song is not popular. I was afraid that people would not vote because they don’t know it.”
Zama started singing at age two according to her mother, but she remembers falling in love with music in grade 6.
She plans to win the competition.
“I don’t know why South Africans love me, but when I pray I ask God to help me exude love. I want to walk, sing and speak love,” Zama said.
“I want to show more confidence and emotion in the competition. That is my strategy to winning.”
In a shock elimination, Zahn-Reece, who stunned during theatre week with a politically charged performance of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, was booted out.
Speaking to Sowetan on Monday morning Zahn-Reece was optimistic about the future.
“I’m going through mixed emotions. I’m bumped that I don’t get to continue in the competition, but I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Zahn-Reece said.
“If there is anything that I have learnt in life is that you will win some and lose some. A delay is not denial.
“This is one of the biggest platforms for aspirant singers in this country, so the mere fact that I got to perform on that stage was an opportunity in itself that will open so many doors. There are so many people that didn’t make a top 10, but went on to do big things.
“In retrospect I wouldn’t have done anything different. I’m more than content with my top 16 performance. I think it’s not a matter of I was not liked, but other people were liked more. There is nothing negative I can take away.”
The show on Sunday night saw performances by Idols SA alumni Lungisa Xhamela and Nozipho, Loyiso Gijana and Rethabile Khumalo.
Langa Mavuso, Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode also performed.
“I am glad that this is not the end of the road for the eliminated contestants – Idols has always prided itself on being the launchpad for new talent, so I know this is not the last we are going to see of these exceptional singers. Our guest performances tonight were testament to that,” said Nomsa Philiso, director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
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