This week’s Clash of the Choirs SA (COTCSA) gave celeb choirmasters and their teams their toughest challenge yet, one that placed the human voice in the spotlight.
That’s right: the seven choirs had to mostly leave the band behind as they sought harmonic perfection, drawing on South Africa’s rich vocal history and giving incredible, unplugged renditions.
This week’s performances showed range vocally and arrangement-wise, as well as when it came to genres.
Coming out tops were Limpopo’s Team HLE, whose rendition of Zonke’s ‘Jik’izinto’ impressed all three judges. An emotional Buhlebendalo Mda said: “From the first note that you uttered, you got me.”
Sadly, it was former challenge winners Team Zaza (Free State) who came up short, being eliminated by the judges for their take on ‘Skeleton Move’ by Master KG.
Mpumalanga’s Team Khanyisa boldly took on judge Dr Tumi’s ‘Akekho’. He was impressed: “I was waiting to see where you guys were gonna go with it. I’m glad you put a twist to the song. I will not fault you.”
Performing ‘Thojana ya Thesele’ by Presss were Gauteng’s Team Prince Kaybee. Zwai Bala felt they could have done more: “It was safe. If I were to mark you, you would simply pass. [In future] just be honest and be real.”
KZN’s Team Ntencane performed Mary J. Blige’s ‘Be Without You’, with Buhlebendalo saying to the lead vocalist: “If you forget the lyrics, let it go. When you forget, your energy goes down and it feeds on the rest of the group.”
Team Lady Du (Eastern Cape) took on Lauryn Hill’s ‘Tell Him’ – showing no signs of the behind-the-scenes disharmony they had experienced during rehearsals when they disregarded their choirmaster’s leadership. Zwai called it “one of the strongest performances tonight”.
Closing off the show was Team Langa (Northern Cape), who sang AKA’s ‘The World Is Yours’. Buhlebendalo said: “You are one choir that completely understood what the theme was. I feel like there were too many solos, but I like how you implemented the brief.”
The choir was later placed second from the bottom by judges.
With six choirs now remaining, we’re edging closer and closer to the finale and its incredible R1-million prize.
Who will live to sing another day? Keep following the COTCSA journey to see whose best notes bring them closer to the ultimate win.
After all, as co-hosts Bontle Modiselle and DJ Sabby said earlier in the show: “That’s the thing about this competition – you never know how it’s gonna go.”
Clash of the Choirs SA airs every Sunday at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), with episodes also available on DStv Stream. Visit our website and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Join the conversation using #COTCSA.