Noma faces Thami in Idols SA finale

Tebogo Louw exited the Idols SA season XII contest on Sunday night, meaning the showdown in the finale this coming Sunday will be between Noma Khumalo and Thami Shobede.

According to a statement from MultiChoice Malawi, the penultimate show of the Idols SA did not disappoint as there was anticipation, excitement, tension and tears as the top three was cut down to two.

It had been a busy and exciting week for the three. Not only did they record their first singles, they also received Very Important Person (VIP) treatment in form of a glam team for the shoot of the single covers.

On Sunday night, they debuted their original music on stage, sealing their status as bona fide recording artists and performers.

Noma was the first to give Mzansi a taste of her upbeat, finger-snapping ditty called Want It to Fall Like It Did with You. Thami followed with his Afro-soul love jam, Sthandwa, before Tebogo wound up the singles showcase with Do It Again, a reggae-rock infused dance number that had the audience bopping their heads and tapping their toes.

Just before ProVerb Thekiso announced the top two, the judges gave their predictions from last week’s performances.

Gareth Cliff thought Noma was “sabotaged” with one of her song choices. Somizi Mhlongo  and Randall Abrahams concurred that the finale would be between Thami and Tebogo, while Unathi was noncommittal.

But like Randall said last week, this is anyone’s game and it was proven when Noma’s name was the first to be called as one of the two who will be in the finale. A few seconds later, Thami was announced as her challenger for next week’s Idols crown.

The race to the finish started in earnest when Noma and Thami battled it out over two rounds.

First up was Noma serenading with Jennifer Hudson’s I’m Not Going, which led Gareth to proclaim that she “absolutely” deserves her place in the final.

“When I see Zwai Bala on his feet cheering like a fan, you should know you are good baby,” he said.

Thami’s counter song was a ballad version of Sorry by Justin Bieber.

“Your voice is like izambane ene butter [potato with butter],” remarked Somizi.

Randall put the cherry on top when he said Thami’s “hard work and dynamism” were testament that “you have not just returned; you have arrived”.

Round Two saw Noma come back with an emotive performance of Rihanna’s Stay, to which Randall responded “Shine bright like a diamond.” Thami closed off the show with a stirring performance of Etta James’ All I Could Do Was Cry.

“Take me to the water and drop me in the river!” he cried out.

More of this week’s entertainment was courtesy of a reunited Top 10—minus Tebogo, Noma and Thami—who aptly performed Janet Jackson’s Together Again.

Bucie also came on stage, sporting a sexy baby bump and giving her usual great performance. The Kalawa Jazmee crew gave Mzansi a throwback nostalgic kwaito medley with Mdu Masilela that had the crowd on their feet.

With just a few days left before the winner of Idols SA Season XII is announced at the finale in Carnival City, the battle lines have been drawn. Will it be Noma or will it be Thami? n