Amanda bids farewell to Idols SA again

She is the fourth Top 10 finalist to go home as she received the least amount of votes. “First I didn’t even make it to the Top 16, and then I made it all the way to Top 7!” Amanda joked after she had left the stage. “I’m just so grateful to have been part of this incredible show. It was an extraordinary experience that I will hold close to my heart for years to come.”

Before entering Idols SA this year for the second time, Amanda completed her Music studies at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and her long-term musical goals include one day opening her own recording studios.

Karabo Mogane went back to April 1995 for Boys II Men classic Water Runs Dry for his first performance. And from today’s tracklists, he selected Hozier’s Someone New. “You were heart-and-soul, knee-deep in that song,” Gareth Cliff said happily.

Dineo Moseki from Vryburg, chose Lauryn Hill’s Ex-Factor from December 1998 as her Nineties song and her current hit choice was local outfit Beatenberg’s Rafael. Gareth noted how much better Dineo sounds when she tackles something upbeat like that second song. “Last week your spaceship crashed and you were the only survivor found!” Somizi joked. “You survived,” he said encouragingly.

Rhema Varrie from Alberton sang Radiohead’s High And Dry and One Republic’s Counting Stars. Gareth noted that Rhema has a unique sound and advised him to make that his distinctive standout quality. “When Jesus says ‘yes’, no Randall can say ‘no’!” Somizi cracked. “Hallelujah!” Unathi concurred.

Siphelele Ngcobo from Inanda, selected the classic All 4 One hit I Can Love You Like That and  Nathi’s Nomvula, which earned him a standing ovation from Unathi and Somizi. “I was blown away,” Gareth admitted. “Your voice is anointed!” Somizi raved. “Even if you don’t speak English or sing English, stick to where your heart and soul is, you will never be hungry,” he advised. Unathi thought Siphelele “destroyed” with the second performance, and Randall seemed dumbstruck.

Mmatema Moremi from Limpopo sang Deborah Cox’s Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here and Jess Glynne’s hit, Hold My Hand. “It’s almost as if you’ve been performing all your life. You just don’t put a foot wrong,” Gareth marveled. But he requested that she tackle something “risky” next week.

Loyiso Gijana from Uitenhage sang the Boyz II Men hit: It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday. Halfway through tonight’s show Gareth Cliff, Somizi Mhlongo, and Unathi Msengana thought that Loyiso had delivered the best performances of the first round, and Randall Abrahams agreed that all four of the guys had given sterling performances.

And for his 2015 hit at the end of the second round Loyiso chose Hold Back The River, by James Bay. “You see, you’re not afraid at all to take risky songs and make them work,” Gareth said happily. “I don’t know how to fault you,” said Somizi.

Catch Idols SA on Sunday at 17h00.