Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

The long-anticipated elimination of Sphumelele Mbambo from the I Want to Sing Gospel competition finally happened on Sunday.

The KwaZulu-Natal-born singer, who has won the hearts of many viewers, had to go after avoiding elimination four times.

Viewers watched as Thabo Mdluli, presenter of the show, told Mbambo and Lungisani Ntuli that it was the end of the road for them.

For the past four weeks, Mbambo, who has a good voice, could not handle the pressure. On several occasions she was told that she was too relaxed. As competition got tougher, she tried to be simple and gave it away.

The sobbing Mbambo said: "It was painful to be kicked out at this stage of the competition. I don't want people to vote me in if they are not going to make me a winner."

Ntuli, who was another exciting performer, was very unfortunate to be eliminated. For the past weeks viewers have watched him grow with the competition.

In his exit interview he did not want to say much, except, "People have to understand that the competition is tough."

On Sunday, the guest judges were Elle, Linda Sibiya and Ntokozo Mbambo.

Though Mkhize said he was satisfied with the duo's performance, they were sent home. Actress and singer Elle said Mbambo's voice was beginning to crack, while Sibiya, who hosts Ukhozi FM's Breakfast Show, said Ntuli was not doing enough.

The winner of the competition will walk away with a R100000 in prize money and a recording deal with Lindelani Mkhize's company.