# Idols South Africa season 1

Idols South Africa I was the first season of South African reality interactive talent show based on the British talent show Pop Idol. It started as the second international spin-off of the original series just days after the first Idol season in Poland. However, as it ended earlier the winner Heinz Winckler is the second Idol winner after the original Pop Idol Will Young.
Simon Cowell, judge of the original series was guest judging during the theater round when the Top 50 was chosen. The remaining contestants where then split in 10 groups of 5 where the most vote getter would move on to the top 10. However, due to a voting error during the first group's voting, Melanie Lowe, who closely trailed Brandon October, was saved by the producers, resulting in the top 11 instead.
In the beginning the show was hosted by Matthew Stewardson and Candy Litchfield. However halfway through the season Stewardson was axed and replaced by Sami Sabitiin. Soon after that Stewardson checked himself into a rehab center. The show saw a tragic incident when the programme's main photographer suddenly died during the competition. In the course of the season complaints about the results of votings and technical problems became loud and created a mistrust from the audience which eventually lasted over the upcoming seasons.

## Finals
### Finalists

| Finalist | Age * | From | Status |
| David Fourie | 21 | Bloemfontein | Eliminated 1st in Week 1 |
| Nicole Billingham | 23 | Ferndale | Eliminated 2nd in Week 1 |
| Rian Swanepoel | 20 | Hatfield | Eliminated 3rd in Week 1 |
| Lyndle Kearns | 17 | Rocklands | Eliminated 4th in Week 2 |
| Cindy Bester | 19 | East London | Eliminated 5th in Week 2 |
| Ezra Lingeveldt | 21 | Sea Point | Eliminated 6th in Week 3 |
| Ayanda Nhlangothi | 19 | Durban | Eliminated 7th in Week 3 |
| Bianca Le Grange | 20 | Johannesburg | Eliminated 8th in Week 4 |
| Melanie Lowe | 26 | Vredehoek | Third |
| Brandon October | 25 | Johannesburg | Runner-up |
| Heinz Winckler | 24 | Stellenbosch | Winner |
* as of the start of the season

## Heats and live shows
### Results summary

| Safe | Saved first | Saved last | Eliminated |
| Stage: | Stage: | Semi | Semi | Semi | Semi | Semi | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| Week: | Week: | 04/14 | 04/21 | 04/27 | 05/05 | 05/12 | 05/20 | 05/27 | 06/03 | 06/10 | 06/17 |
| Place | Contestant | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result |
| 1 | Heinz Winckler | | | | Top 11 | | | | | | Winner |
| 2 | Brandon October | Top 11 | | | | | | | Btm 3 | | Runner-Up |
| 3 | Melanie Lowe | Saved | | | | | Btm 5 | | | Btm 2 | Elim |
| 4 | Bianca Le Grange | | | Top 11 | | | | | | Elim | |
| 5-6 | Ayanda Nhlangothi | | | | Top 11 | | | | Elim | | |
| 5-6 | Ezra Lingeveldt | | | | | Top 11 | | Btm 3 | Elim | | |
| 7-8 | Cindy Bester | Top 11 | | | | | Btm 4 | Elim | | | |
| 7-8 | Lyndle Kearns | | | | | Top 11 | | Elim | | | |
| 9-11 | Rian Swanepoel | | Top 11 | | | | Elim | | | | |
| 9-11 | Nicole Billingham | | Top 11 | | | | Elim | | | | |
| 9-11 | David Fourie | | | Top 11 | | | Elim | | | | |
| Semi- Final 10 | Boitumelo Masemola | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 10 | Hybre Africa | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 10 | Lauren Laing | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 10 | Mallisan Scholtz | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 9 | Gugulethu Shezi | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 9 | Monique Steyn | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 9 | Nombulelo Mntaka | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 9 | Zure Classen | | | | | Elim | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 8 | Dalen Jooste | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 8 | Letoya Makhene | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 8 | Liana Van Zyl | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 8 | Chad Saaiman | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 7 | Darren Green | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 7 | Karlien Husselman | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 7 | Kim August | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 7 | Lize Nuttall | | | | Elim | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 6 | Francois Mulder | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 6 | Michelle Williamson | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 6 | Nicola Warwick | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 6 | Vanessa Grebe | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 5 | Angelique Campher | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 5 | Bulelwa Ngomane | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 5 | Lauren Chesling | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 5 | Rebert Roodbol | | | Elim | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 4 | Duke Motlanthe | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 4 | Elana Forbes | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 4 | Kim Milner | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 4 | Philadelphia Shayi | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Cecilia Neer | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Leanne Steenkamp | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Tarryn Lamb | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 3 | Tasmia Begbie | | Elim | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Kerry Hiles | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Lauren Matos | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Lushe Killian | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 2 | Yogin Khandoo | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Liesl Penniken | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Malcolm Manuel | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi- Final 1 | Rene Hunter | Elim | | | | | | | | | |
* Note: The results of every second semifinal group were announced together.

### Live show details
#### Heat 1 (10 March 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Brandon October | "She's the One" (Robbie Williams) | Advanced |
| 2 | Rene Hunter | "You've Got a Friend" (Carole King) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Liesl Penniken | "One Moment in Time" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Malcolm Manuel | "I Turn to You" (Christina Aguilera) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Melanie Lowe | "Son of a Preacher Man" (Dusty Springfield) | Saved |

#### Heat 2 (17 March 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Lauren Matos | "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Yoganathan Khandoo | "We Are the World" (USA for Africa) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Kerry Hiles | "Special Star" (Mango Groove) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Cindy Bester | "How Do I Live" (LeAnn Rimes) | Advanced |
| 5 | Lushé Killian | "Angel" (Sarah McLachlan) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 3 (24 March 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Tarryn Lamb | "It Must Have Been Love" (Roxette) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Cecelia Neer | "The Greatest Love of All" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Leanne Steenkamp | "From a Distance" (Bette Midler) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Tasmia Begbie | "I'm Outta Love" (Anastacia) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Nicole Billingham | "Breathe" (Faith Hill) | Advanced |

#### Heat 4 (31 March 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Kim Milner | "Just the Way You Are" (Billy Joel) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Rian Swanepoel | "When a Man Loves a Woman" (Percy Sledge) | Advanced |
| 3 | Duke Motlanthe | "I Swear" (All-4-One) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Philadelphia Shayi | "I Have Nothing" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Elena Forbes | "Saving All My Love for You" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 5 (7 April 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | David Fourie | "This I Promise You" (NSYNC) | Advanced |
| 2 | Laurene Chesling | "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Buli Ngomane | "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Rebert Roodbol | "I Love the Way You Love Me" (Boyzone) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Angelique Campher | "Baby Can I Hold You" (Tracy Chapman) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 6 (14 April 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Nicola Warwick | "Think Twice" (Celine Dion) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Bianca Le Grange | "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen) | Advanced |
| 3 | Francois Mulder | "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (Andy Williams) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Michelle Williamson | "Un-Break My Heart" (Toni Braxton) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Vanessa Grebe | "There You'll Be" (Faith Hill) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 7 (21 April 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Ayanda Nhlangothi | "(Something Inside) So Strong" (Labi Siffre) | Advanced |
| 2 | Kim August | "Woman in Love" (Barbra Streisand) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Darren Green | "Your Song" (Elton John) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Lizé Nuttall | "Again" (Janet Jackson) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Karlien Husselman | "Walking in Memphis" (Cher) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 8 (28 April 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Dalen Jooste | "How Deep Is Your Love" (Bee Gees) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Letoya Makhene | "Declaration of Love" (Celine Dion) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Chad Saaiman | "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (Bryan Adams) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Liana Van Zyl | "I Will Love Again" (Lara Fabian) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Heinz Winckler | "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" (Train) | Advanced |

#### Heat 9 (5 May 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Zure Classen | "Eternal Flame" (The Bangles) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Nombulelo Mntaka | "Moments Away" (Mango Groove) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Monique Steyn | "Fields of Gold" (Sting) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Lyndle Kearns | "All the Man That I Need" (Whitney Houston) | Advanced |
| 5 | Gugulethu Shezi | "Over and Over" (Puff Johnson) | Eliminated |

#### Heat 10 (12 May 2002)

| Order | Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| 1 | Boitumelo Masemola | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" (Whitney Houston) | Eliminated |
| 2 | Lauren Laing | "Hero" (Mariah Carey) | Eliminated |
| 3 | Mallisan Scholtz | "To Love You More" (Celine Dion) | Eliminated |
| 4 | Hybre Africa | "All by Myself" (Celine Dion) | Eliminated |
| 5 | Ezra Lingeveldt | "Get Over You" (Brian McKnight) | Advanced |

#### Live Show 1 (19 May 2002)

Theme: Movie Magic
| Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| Lyndle Kearns | "Dancing Queen" (ABBA) | Safe |
| Bianca Le Grange | "Ben" (Michael Jackson) | Safe |
| Nicole Billingham | "Take My Breath Away" (Berlin) | Eliminated |
| Rian Swanepoel | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Phil Collins) | Eliminated |
| Melanie Lowe | "Little Bird" (Annie Lennox) | Bottom five |
| Ayanda Nhlangothi | "Kiss from a Rose" (Seal) | Safe |
| David Fourie | "Hungry Eyes" (Eric Carmen) | Eliminated |
| Cindy Bester | "If I Can't Have You" (Yvonne Elliman) | Bottom four |
| Heinz Winckler | "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith) | Safe |
| Brandon October | "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green) | Safe |
| Ezra Lingeveldt | "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Otis Redding) | Safe |

#### Live Show 2 (26 May 2002)

Theme: My Own Idol
| Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| Lyndle Kearns | "Heaven's What I Feel" (Gloria Estefan) | Eliminated |
| Bianca Le Grange | "Fantasy" (Earth, Wind & Fire) | Safe |
| Melanie Lowe | "Careless Whisper" (George Michael) | Safe |
| Ayanda Nhlangothi | "Black Velvet" (Alannah Myles) | Safe |
| Cindy Bester | "Time After Time" (Cyndi Lauper) | Eliminated |
| Heinz Winckler | "Higher" (Creed) | Safe |
| Brandon October | "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chicago) | Safe |
| Ezra Lingeveldt | "Rosanna" (Toto) | Bottom three |

#### Live Show 3 (2 June 2002)

Theme: Proudly South African
| Artist | Song (original artists) | Result |
| Bianca Le Grange | "Substitute" (Clout) | Safe |
| Melanie Lowe | "Acid Rain" (Wendy Oldfield) | Safe |
| Ayanda Nhlangothi | "Another Country" (Mango Groove) | Eliminated |
| Heinz Winckler | "Shallow Waters" (Just Jinjer) | Safe |
| Brandon October | "Hurts So Bad" (Danny K) | Bottom three |
| Ezra Lingeveldt | "Starlight" (Grannysmith) | Eliminated |

#### Live Show 4: Semi-final (9 June 2002)

Theme: Judges' Choice
| Artist | First song (original artists) | Second song | Result |
| Bianca Le Grange | "Superwoman" (Karyn White) | "I Don't Want to Wait" (Paula Cole) | Eliminated |
| Melanie Lowe | "Torn" (Natalie Imbruglia) | "Shackles (Praise You)" (Mary Mary) | Bottom two |
| Heinz Winckler | "Every Breath You Take" (The Police) | "Soledad" (Westlife) | Safe |
| Brandon October | "Truly Madly Deeply" (Savage Garden) | "Escape" (Enrique Iglesias) | Safe |

#### Live final (16 June 2002)

| Artist | First song | Second song | Third song | Result |
| Melanie Lowe | "Little Bird" | "Acid Rain" | "Every Single Thing" | Third place |
| Heinz Winckler | "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" | "Soledad" | "Once in a Lifetime" | Winner |
| Brandon October | "She's the One" | "Let's Stay Together" | "Once in a Lifetime" | Runner-up |