SA: Thapelo Molomo wins Idols SA Season 18

With 22 million viewer votes this week, season 18 brought a total of more than 120 million votes. Molomo, a 29-year-old South African Police Service psychologist, walked away with over R1m ($58 000) in cash, made up of R350 000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account (sponsored by Old Mutual), R300 000 from Spotify and R350 000 from Mzansi Magic. He will also get access to a Standard Bank wealth manager, a Toyota Starlet, a fashion voucher from Truworths and his live show outfits valued at R100 000, musical equipment from Yamaha worth R85 000 and a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee Records.

As the runner-up, Nozi also won a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee, as well as R50 000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account, a fashion voucher from Truworths including live show outfits, all to the value of R50 000 and R30 000 from Spotify.

“This has been another spectacular edition of Idols South Africa — 18 seasons is quite a feat, and we’re proud of how well this rendition was received,” M-Net director for local entertainment channels Shirley Adonisi said.

“We would like to congratulate Thapelo and wish him well on his post-Idols SA journey. At Mzansi Magic, we are proud that we have provided a stage, which has proved to be a launch pad for many careers, and we are confident that this year‘s contestants will grab this opportunity with both hands.”

During the finale, Thapelo and Nozi performed their showstoppers – Master KG and Makhadzi’s ‘Di Boya Limpopo’ and Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’, respectively. The two then duetted, performing Rihanna’s ‘Lift Me Up’, with the previously eliminated top eight contestants as backup singers.

While the show had opened with a glittering rendition of Arya Star’s ‘Bloody Samaritan’ by season 18’s top 10, the finale was also filled with memorable superstar performances from Oskido, Mthandazo Gayta, King Talkzin, Deep Sen, Costa Tich, Alfa Kat, D'Banj and season 17 winner Berry.

The judges also put their money where their mouth is by taking the stage – not to share their critique but to perform. JR Bogopa sang a medley with award-winning rapper AKA, Thembi Seete and her Boom Shaka bandmates played some of their kwaito classics, and Somizi Mhlongo and host ProVerb took on Lil Nas X’s ‘Industry Baby’.

Summing up the season, Idols SA host and executive producer ProVerb said: “Tonight has been an amazing celebration. Your support of up-and-coming talent has been amazing. Your votes have brought Thapelo to this life-changing moment.”