The most important episode of Season 16 aired on Sunday night (6 December) and it turned out to be a bigtime bummer for Brandon who was voted out before the final note.
Mr Music vs Zama.
One will have the title of Idol by next week, this time.
Here's a recap of the episode by Mzansi Magic, followed by the singles they released at the start of the show:
Before the voting results were announced, the Top 3 treated fans to their first ever performances of their very first singles and this demonstrated their transformation from wooden mic auditionees to talented musicians who command the stage, ready for the big time.
Indeed, the judges could not help but feel proud of the three finalists and their performances.
Mr Music and Zama sang their new afro-pop singles Ngikhethe Kahle and Ndizobizwa, while Brandon dropped a “hip hop track with other elements”, titled Uhambe.
The judges remarked that the singles, which are now available on iTunes, signified how Kalawa Jazmee was a perfect fit for this year’s competition.
With Brandon now having bowed out of the competition, it is up to the voters to decide between Mr Music and Zama and their performances did not make the choice any easier, with both Idols SA hopefuls having saved their best for this very important evening.
Mr Music returned to sing his very first audition song, Linda’s Ngam’thanda Umuntu. Randall remarked how different the first attempt sounded to this performance, yet he remained at the centre of it all.
“Tonight you are right there and you are owning the song and you have to keep that in mind that the person who was singing this song at his first audition, hoping for the judges to choose him and hoping for votes is the same person standing here in the Top 2,” he said, while Unathi commented that South Africa loved him because he had given the best version of himself throughout the show.
Somizi too loved the performance, repeating that if there was anyone who would make an amazing finalist, it was Mr Music.
His second performance - his own favourite of the show - was Sun-EL Musician and Ami Faku’s Into Ingawe, which had Somizi giving him his ultimate nod, the “whoo shem”.
“You look like the Afro-pop prince you are,” he said, while Randall and Unathi said his endearing qualities, singing ability and desire to win would ensure that fans would vote for him to the very end.
Zama performed for her first Top 2 offering the song she sang for her final theatre week audition, Without You by Mariah Carey.
“We fell in love with you the moment we met you,” Unathi said, while Somizi said he was sad that the song had ended. “I can’t get enough of your voice,” he added.
Randall took the opportunity to offer a word of advice: “Your singing is very good, but you need to imbue that performance with emotion and absolutely let go,” he said.
On her second performance, her favourite A Change is Gonna Come by Jennifer Hudson, Randall said he had nothing to say but that next week’s competition was going to be a humdinger.
Unathi was reduced to joyful giggles at the performance, thanking her for giving her best.
Somizi too was beside himself with joy, saying When you sleep tonight, you can do so knowing that whatever happens, you did it all. You killed it. You have given it your all - that was amazing! You deserve a standing ovation!”
Next week South Africa will find out who the next SA Idol is. South Africa’s 16th Idol will become an instant millionaire, and win among other great prizes, Samsung products to the value of R150,000 and the all new Toyota Starlet 1.4. XR Manual. Of course, the grand prize is a recording deal from Kalawa Jazmee.
Who deserves their own album?
Their singles are:
Brandon: Uhambe
Zama: Ndizobizwa
Mr Music: Ngikhethe Kahle