Edward Tsumele
Edward Tsumele
Singing sensation 26-year-old Ntsepa Pitjeng from Johannesburg has been kicked out of the Idols competition - making her the first person to make a solo exit.
Until now, two contestants were eliminated each week from this fiercely competitive show. However, starting from yesterday, one hopeful will be kicked out each week until the last person emerges victorious. Currently nine people are still in with a chance.
Ntsepa was one of the top 10 that performed to thousands of fans on Friday at the Mosaek Theatre but yesterday she failed to gain sufficient votes.
As soon as voting closed five minutes into last night's show, Idols host Liezel van der Westhuizen got the ball rolling by revealing the verdict of some of the country's top radio stations.
Algoa FM's listeners thought it might be Lizé's turn to leave. East Coast Radio's listeners predicted that it would be Sasha Lee. Jacaranda FM listeners as well as Kfm listeners thought it would be Lendel and Ofm listeners voted Pixie off.
As for the Idols judges - Dave Thompson predicted that Lizé would go and Mara agreed. Gareth thought Ntsepa, Lendel and Lizé were the worst performers but that Ntsepa would go. Randall thought Ntsepa would struggle for votes.
Liezel then announced she would call out the bottom three. But Lendel wasn't among them. Jason was also safe and seconds later so was Sasha Lee and Cameron.
Graeme was safe but a nervous Pixie joined Ntsepa in the bottom three. Daniel was safe, and with one spot left in the bottom three, Lizé and Thembi were clearly nervous.
Liezel broke the tension: Lizé was safe and the bottom three were Thembi, Ntsepa and Pixie. And they had to wait until after the commercial break to find out who would be saved!