U Can Do It is a South African reality competition television series produced by Roadshow Marketing in which 25 finalists live together in an "academy", where they learn various tricks of the music industry from established musicians and compete to become a member of a group that earns a record deal and R150,000.
The series premiered on SABC1 on Tuesday 4 June 2013, at 22h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 13 half-hour episodes in the series.
The winning group of U Can Do It was the Maples comprising Phaksy Mngomezulu, Marvin Moane, Tendai Dikinya, Khaya Skosana and Musa Mashiane, who won R150,000 and a record deal with Universal Records.
Synopsis
Driven by kwaito king Arthur Mafokate, this reality competition gives 25 talented young South Africans the opportunity to realise their dreams of becoming a star.
The prize for the winning group or individual includes a Universal Records deal, as well as R150,000 cash.
There is a level of training and development that the 25 finalists receive during the course of the show. Once selected (in the first two episodes), these 25 contestants take up residence together at an undisclosed location, known only as the Can Do Academy.
Finalists receive training and advice from well-known industry professionals who have helped shape the local music scene.
Kelly Khumalo, Luthando Shosha, Chomee, Jamela, Jodi Gold, Donald, Penny and Nomsa Madida are among the guest judges who make appearances and add their unique experience and talent to the show.
The intensive training schedule includes songwriting, fitness instruction, dance lessons, vocal coaching and image workshops.
Finalists are expected to take in all the information, training and advice very quickly in order to outperform the competition in challenges and avoid being eliminated from the Academy.
Weekly challenges and performances are judged by Arthur Mafokate and special guest judges, while finalists also have a chance to sway the judges' decision in winning the challenge of the week.
The show is about equipping contestants with all they need to reach their potential in a short time, ultimately revealing which of them has what it takes to survive in the music industry and become a true star.
Viewers are privy to all the ins and outs of the house, including the training sessions and workshops and in the process learn about the local scene and the music industry as a whole.
The executive producer of the show is Arthur Mafokate for Roadshow Marketing.
Broadcast Details
Ep 01 – Introduction
Ep 02 – Auditions Day 1
Ep 03 – Auditions Day 2
Ep 04 – Top 100
Ep 05 – Top 100
Ep 06 – Top 50
Ep 07 – Challenge 1 Top 25 (Creative Presentation)
Ep 08 – Challenge Top 22 (Music Composition)
Ep 09 – Challenge Top 18 (Battle of the Sexes Challenge)
Ep 10 – Challenge Top 16 (Music Composition Challenge)
Ep 11 – Challenge Top 15 (Gig Challenge)
Ep 12 – Challenge Top 12 (Legend Partnership Challenge)
Ep 13 – Announcement Show
The Top 100
The Top 100 finalists were as follows:
Akhona Gqaji (Mr. Italia)
Sive Gaba
Moipei Sekhasimbe
Tendai Michelle Dikinya
Ishmael Marege Lethamaga
Sphiwe Alfred
Mbongeni Variety Mavuso
Khanyisa Mbuthu
Nonkululeko Nonkanyezi
Lucia Biyana
Musa Palenth Ntloko
Lethiwe Zulu (Lethy)
Bakang Malepane
Puleng Khanye
Inam Maso
Mbangiso Malatsi
Xhantilomzi Tshikila
Zintle Nojoko
Selebogo Nathan
Samkelo Lubisi Dennis
Vusi Gavin Msiza
Ntando Mthembu
Godfrey Sekibe
Musa France Mashiane
Thokozani Malatsi
Jacqnes Qhwane
Luleka Nomnganga
Jonathan Larhein
Phewa Smangele
Pinky Thembelihle Qwabe
Tebogo Mogotsi
Mpho Mokoena
Nontuthuzelo Monwabisi
Mbali Jesaca Manganye
Thulani Khumalo
Sizakele Millicent Gabuza
Nkagiseng Matshaba
Lorato Ramahlape
Vanessa Maluleke
Innocent Themba Shizo
Kagiso Latane
Katlego Botsang Modisana
Thulasizwe Sibeko (C-zwe)
Angelique De Klerk
Khayalakhe Skosana
Ayanda Nzimande
Zwelakhe Rapodile
Njabulo Shusha
Morgan Itumeleng Lebeko
Nosipo Monyane
Jabulani Masemola
Mathabiso Cynthia
Tshepo Lesheba
Yolisa Petse
Veronica Bathobile Mamba
Reteng George Maphunye
Violet Ndlovu (Viciouz)
Inocencio Simango
Nebo Mafabatho
Nompile Mzobe
Evidence Pinku Mungwe
Dinga "Small D"
Zandile Khumalo
Melita Ramokgosi
Jesse Suntele
Gomotsang Seitumeng (Dee’lesh)
Sithembiso Mabena
Dumisani Mahlangu
Innocentia Fortunate Dada
Samantha Buttress
Vusi Dlamini (Haem-O)
Blessing Khumalo
Banele Mntambo (Anza B)
Onalenna Peteke
Sindiswa Ndzimande
Phumelela Moletsane
Fiona Richardson
Zamangwane Hlongwanes
Mpho Mahadi
Luthando Dekeni
Njabulo Hlathswayo
Marvin Moane
Kate Mphaphuli
Loyiso Ngcala
Siphelo Phungula
Thshegofatso Motene
Nteseng Bridgett Kgwedi
Gugulethu Bikani
Precious Nomsa Masemula
Perseverance Masego
Blessing Ndlovu
Owen Basta
Xander Leroy Baronet
Clyryll Mash (Mist)
Dintle Mnisi Rampou
Nobantu Vilakazi
Jeffrey Chauke
Nkosana Samuel Mthimkulu
Mlibongwe Khulekani Buthelezi
Tebogo Pearl Zondo
Nelisile Prudence Candy
Lerato Makgetha
Roche Ras
Tumedi Kantane
Thulani Sandile Ndlela
Owen Ntokozo Ntuli
Peter Ray Motseki
Sesi Emily Mokati
Andrea Thambo
Precious Leeto
Pulane Mokone (Tinky)
Londiwe Fihlela
Phakamani Mngomezulu (Phaksy)
The Top 26
The Top 26 were announced on the show on Tuesday, 16 July 2013. They were originally going to be a Top 25 but the series added a Wild Card.
The Top 26 were as follows:
Andrea Tambo (Wild Card contestant)
Banele Mntambo (Anza B)
Buti Maifadi
Thulasizwe Sibeko (C-zwe)
Gomotsang Seitumeng (Dee’lesh)
Vusi Dlamini (Haem-O)
Jesse Suntele
Kagiso Latane
Khanyisa Mbuthu
Khayalakhe Skosana
Lethiwe Zulu (Lethy)
Marvin Moane
Mbongeni Variety Mavuso
Clyryll Mash (Mist)
Akhona Gqaji (Mr Italia)
Musa France Mashiane
Peter Ray Motseki
Phakamani Mngomezulu (Phaksy)
Samantha Buttress
Sesi Emily Mokati
Sindiswa Ndzimande
Tendai Michelle Dikinya
Pulane Mokone (Tinky)
Violet Ndlovu (Viciouz)
Zandile Khumalo
Zintle Nojoko
Winners
The winning group was called The Maples and was made up of the following:
Phaksy Mngomezulu
Marvin Moan
Tendai Dikiny
Khaya Skosan
Musa Mashiane