Turning 18 is a major milestone in one’s life – you get to drive (poorly or well), you get to drink (wisely or not), and you get to vote (‘nuff said). It’s a time of change: suddenly, it becomes apparent that your whole life is ahead of you (if you’ll pardon the cliché) and that you are now free to make the decisions that will dictate the course of your future. Of course, making those decisions are the important part, and how one makes them eventually becomes the story of one’s life.
With Idols SA about to kick off season 18, all those decisions sit squarely in the lap of the show’s producers. How do they spice up what has become a staple of the South African television diet? Wisely, that’s how.
Let’s start with the obvious – the new judging panel. When Unathi Nkayi and Randall Abrahams decided to leave their seats vacant for newcomers, it signalled a major change. Abrahams has been part of the panel since the show’s inception, and Nkayi has been there for almost as long. Both brought their own viewpoints to the judging process as well as their own style. Nkayi was effusive in her praise, Abrahams was characteristically restrained. They were as much a part of the show’s character as the contestants, so replacing them would take some thought.
The inclusion of Thembi Seete to the panel after her wildly-successful stint as a guest judge during last season has been met with a lot of enthusiasm, and the addition of JR would suggest a broadening of the styles of music we can expect to see performed on the stage – never a bad thing. Additionally, Somizi Mhlongo-Motuang’s return to the panel has many fans excited to see his usual boisterous antics.
With the easing of Covid-19 regulations, this season was always going to mark the return to larger live performances. Still, the team has decided to push the envelope even further, moving the show into a larger venue capable of seating 3 500 people – the largest in the show’s history. This decision means they intend to deliver larger shows with production value stacked to the brim.
We’ve also received indications of a new theme – "Singing a different tune" – a refreshed look and feel and various other improvements, but the production team is still playing these cards a little close to its chest, so we’ll have to bring you up to speed on those a little later. Watch this space.
Idols SA season 18 will be available on Mzansi Magic at 17:30 on Sundays. You can follow us on our assorted social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.