Press Release
TV personality Jonathan Boynton-Lee has won Season Seven of SABC's hit reality dance show
Strictly Come Dancing SA in a glittering live finale on Friday night (19 September).
The Top Billing hunk, who started the series with a shaky start, has proven that hard work and determination can make you a champion after he came from behind to hold up the coveted mirror-ball trophy against stiff competition from fellow finalists Leandie Du Randt and LeAnne Dlamini.
“Mom and Dad I love you, this is for you,’ said the presenter, choking back his tears as he acknowledged his adopted parents. “This trophy belongs to [dancing partner] Hayley. It is all hers.”
The finale started on a high note as singer/songwriter LeAnne took to the dance floor with her partner Johannes for a fiery freestyle dance of the Bachata to ‘All of Me’ by John Legend which judge Samantha Peo described as “just incredible. My toes were curling.”
All eyes were on Jonathan, though, as he made a dramatic entrance for his freestyle routine, descending from the ceiling to dance with partner Hayley to ‘My African Dream’ by Vicky Sampson.
Judge Tebogo Kgobokoe cooed: “This wasn’t just an African Dream. This was a
Strictly dream!” while Samantha described the dance as “a show piece. You created a spectacular production.”
Afrikaans actress Leandie, though, seemed to steal the show early when she made the unusual decision to go barefoot for a spine-tingling freestyle to ‘Wild Horses’ by Susan Boyle.
It was her first perfect ten for the night, with Tebogo remarking: “When I say, ‘Leave your heart on the dance floor’ [what I mean is] it is a personal journey, and I think you delivered that….Simply amazing.”
After a thrilling performance by Joburg rock act Short Straw, hosts Roxy Burger and Katlego Maboe announced that, based on the viewers’ votes, it was the end of the line for LeAnne and Johannes.
The remaining couples, Jonathan and Hayley and Leandie and Brandon performed twice more in the competition, starting with their Judges’ Choice performance - a freestyle dance to ‘Fireball’ by Pitbull.
The judges were lukewarm about both performances though: In Jonathan’s case, Michael pointed out that the Top Billing hunk gave a good performance but there were technical errors.
Meanwhile, Tebogo said this of Leandie’s performance: “I thought it was a fantastic routine, but it wasn’t as good as your first”.
But both celebrities found their groove as they performed their third and final dance of the night.
Jonathan again thrilled the crowd, this time with a 007 inspired Tango Ramba fusion to ‘Golden Eye’ by Tina Turner.
“Double O Wow” is how Katlego called it, and the judges agreed.
“It’s one of those performances which you want to see again,” said Michael. “You have evolved into one of those ballroom dancers who go around naked.”
Meanwhile, Tebogo said it was “powerful. It had all the right elements. It was sharp. It was amazing.”
For her favourite performance, Leandie reprised a Paso Doble to ‘Paint it Black’ by the Rolling Stones.
Said Samantha: “The battle is on! That was class personified. It was elegant. That was like watching liquid gold.”
The special two hour finale of
Strictly also saw the return of previous contestants who'd been voted out: professional motorbike racer Janine Davies, actress Boity Thulo, comedians Donovan Goliath and Siv Ngesi, Queen of Bling Khanyi Mbau, former rugby player John Mametsa and actor Ashish Gangapersad.