Good riddance': South Africans react to Idols SA' cancellationSouth Africans are not surprised that DStv has cancelled reality singing competition Idols SA', which is coming to an end after 21 years.
by Rae Seleme
06-02-2023 09:52
in Entertainment
Idols SA' host Proverb, judges Thembi Seete, Somizi and JR Bogopa. Image via Twitter @PhilMphela
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela has announced that the popular reality singing show Idols SA has been cancelled by DStv after 21 years.
--
ALSO READ: Not Somizi lying': Idols SA' viewers demand apology for Lloyiso
THE SINGING SHOW RENEWED FOR SEASON 19 Mphela also revealed that while Idols SA has been cancelled, DStv has renewed it for season 19.
After 21 years, #IdolsSA will be bowing out of our screens. The show has been renewed for a 19th season, which will be the show's final season, he wrote.
--
Current judges in the singing competition, are entertainer Somizi Mhlongo, musician and producer JR Bogopa, and actress and singer Thembi Seete, while ProVerb is the host and producer of the show.
There have been petitions by audiences to cancel the show over the years when ratings dropped, Somizi Mhlongo took a break from the show, and when long-term judges Unathi Nkayi and Randal Abrahams exited the show and got replaced by Seete and Bogopa.
ALSO READ:CANCELLED: The River' comes to an end after six seasons
--
UNATHI NKAYI AND RANDAL ABRAHAMS EXIT IDOLS SA' Former Idols SA judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi exited the singing show in 2022 after 17 seasons.
The show confirmed that Abrahams and fellow judge Unathi Nkayi would not be part of season 18 of the talent show which returned on Mzansi Magic mid-2022.
Shirley Adonisi, channel director of local entertainment channels for M-net said:
Mzansi Magic is revamping the judging panel for season 18 of Idols SA. The channel will not be renewing Randall Abrahams' and Unathi Nkayi's contracts for the upcoming season of the popular singing show.
Sources close to the production revealed to City Press that the return of fellow judge Somizi Mhlongo to the show could have led to their departure.
The choreographer was removed from the show last season after his estranged husband, Mohale Motaung, levelled allegations of abuse against him in a leaked audio recording during their divorce proceedings.
Adonisi added: Mzansi Magic would like to thank both Randall and Unathi for their contribution to discovering new talent and launching the careers of so many. We salute these great icons of South African entertainment and thank them both for a great inning on Idols.
Randall and Unathi have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and made an impact on the South African entertainment scene that will continue to be felt for some time to come. We wish them well in their endeavours.
ALSO READ:Thapelo of Idols SA' fame now selling eggs from the boot of his car
ALSO READ: Idols SA' review: Yours to lose' - JR on Nozi's performances
TV: Idols South Africa cancelled
After 21 years, #IdolsSA will be bowing out of our screens.
The show has been renewed for a 19th season, which will be the show's final season. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/ynJ0T1L4Sl
Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) February 5, 2023
With this one I am not sad but happy and disappointed by how it became pointless because majority of the winners just disappear and never make it after the show.
(@Jabu_Macdonald) February 5, 2023
Finally pic.twitter.com/BvreLHfeQn
Kubu (@TumeloTG_) February 5, 2023
Best news ever. pic.twitter.com/LmcAo1yYJJ
Mareke sihle (@MarekeSihle) February 5, 2023
Finally someone had to pull the plug. This show was becoming more about the the judges than the contestants, most viewers stopped watching based on the judges panel. I last followed this show the season which was won by Khaya or Musa.
Bonga Zulu (@ZuluBongaSA) February 5, 2023
Good news!!!
Lunga Majozi (@maMajozi) February 5, 2023
Why would we watch it
Can anybody tell me what has happened to all the winners????
It became about Somizi and the Judges and not the talent hence it tanked because it s more important to listen to judges who can t sing a note xeitique and make fun of contestants
Good riddance
Mediablackoutusa (@Mediablackoutza) February 6, 2023
Randal , Somizi & Unathi were the winning formula . When that trio broke, I knew @IdolsSA was doomed.
Lwanda Bana (@lebron_griffin) February 5, 2023
The 21 years is a lie coz I was not that young when idols launched but good riddance wethu https://t.co/Gfe1dY8NcD
Lutho (@LueNdamase) February 5, 2023
Somizi brought a loud new "Jam Alley vibe" fanbase but one that was not gona stick around for long cos they are more into dance moves and gimmicks than good singing voices . pic.twitter.com/AQ98jPwvVx
Stannis Baratheon (@boooradley) February 5, 2023
Image via Twitter @CityPress
Are you interested in online trading? Join XM Global LIVE interactive trading sessions here!
Africa Stories
05/09/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
18/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
15/08/2026
14 August 2026 | Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a...
14/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Ar...
08/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
28/07/2026
27 July 2026, Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
20/07/2026
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, has released t...
09/07/2026
08 July 2026, Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
06/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
10/06/2026
Production and Development Funding supports the creation of compelling, commercially viable, artistic and culturally relevant South African screen content. Deve...
09/06/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to spearhead the equitable growth and development of the South African film and video...
19/05/2026
Press Release
18 May 2026, Johannesburg South Africa has been selected as the...
24/04/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/04/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
26/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...
24/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating ...
15/03/2026
Johannesburg, 14 March 2026 - On 13 and 14 March 2026, the 19th Annual South Afr...
12/03/2026
Johannesburg, 11 March 2026 - The 19th Annual South African Film and Television ...
03/03/2026
Click here for isiXhosa version.
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers from Matatiele and surrounding areas to...
17/02/2026
Johannesburg, 17 February 2026 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), ...
09/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture and custodian of the SAFTAs, is calling on all South Afri...
09/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the call for training provider submissions is open. This funding aims to award grants ...
06/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
04/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to participate in an exclusive creative showcase at the Annecy International...
02/02/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), is calling for applications from experienced Sou...
29/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distribut...
28/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...
20/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
07/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distributor, is commissioning new micro-budget fiction feature films and invites eligible...
31/10/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 October 2025
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Segomotso Keorapetse, an award- winning South African television d...
29/10/2025
It's not the wonders of the world that make a place; it's the people. As...
07/10/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
02/10/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the opening...
30/09/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Found...
26/09/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...
26/09/2025
https://www.nfvf.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/fully-Inclusive-nfvf-invitatio...
29/08/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
27/08/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
25/08/2025
Theme: One Story. One Industry. One Future. - Celebrating South Africa's Screen Legacy, Together
Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (N...
04/08/2025
S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...
15/07/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
28/06/2025
Johannesburg, 27 June 2025 - As the nation commemorates Youth Month
2025, the N...
24/06/2025
Panels of the National Film and Video Foundation in Accordance with the NFVF Act...
13/06/2025
Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
Good riddance': South Africans react to Idols SA' cancellationSouth Africans are not surprised that DStv has cancelled reality singing competition Idols SA', which is coming to an end after 21 years.
