Free State’s Team Zaza blow away their competitors as they win their first Clash of the Choirs SA challenge
Team Stoan and North West were the first to be booted out from the show
The competition got real on Clash of the Choirs SA (COTCSA) this week as Free State’s Team Zaza became the first to win a challenge on the Mzansi Magic musical competition.
Rounding off the top 3 were KZN’s Team Ntencane and Limpopo’s Team HLE in second and third place, respectively.
On the other side of the coin, North West’s Team Stoan were the first to be sent home by the judges.
Last week ended on a dramatic note as choirmasters had to rid their teams of two singers each, bringing each choir to 12 members. How would they cope with that setback? Spectacularly, it turned out.
This week’s challenge from musical director Zadok was a fun one: each choirmaster was tasked with reimagining their own music and changing their hits into choral gold.
First to take the COTCSA stage was Team Ntencane (KZN), who performed his hit Bayangi Sabaweli and Phuzekhemisi’s Imbizo. All judges were impressed, with Buhlebendalo Mda saying: “That made me want to be umZulu. It felt like the final performance.”
Next up, Team Zaza (Free State) performed their own rendition of her track, Imbewu. Zwai Bala led the judges’ praise: “That is power on its own. Well done, you guys!”
North West’s Team Stoan took on Mo Tshware, to a mixed response from judges. Dr Tumi said: “I don’t think the leads were the right voices for this type of song.”
Western Cape’s Team Vusi Nova performed Ndikuthandile, The judges enjoyed it, with Buhlebendalo saying: “Thank you so much for presenting it the way you presented it, thank you for utilising the stage.”
Next up was Team Khanyisa (Mpumalanga), who sang Bheka Mina Ngedwa, to mostly positive comments from judges. Zwai said: “You guys need to perfect your performances a little more. No more new ideas, just tighten what you already have.”
Team Lady Du (Eastern Cape) took on Umsebenzi Wethu and Woza. The judges had a mixed response, with Dr Tumi saying: “I’m not sure it’s the best you could have done – you could have done so much better.”
Northern Cape’s Team Langa performed his hit Sunday Blues, impressing the judges and the crowd. Buhlebendalo said: “Thank you for redeeming yourselves to me. It sounded like a choir. I wanted to go to church and praise the Lord.”
Team HLE (Limpopo) took on her track, Dwala. The judges mostly enjoyed it, but shared some critique, with Zwai saying: “It needs to be tight, otherwise you’re running a risk of it being messy. But well done, and keep up the energy.”
Closing off the show was Gauteng’s Team Prince Kaybee with his hits Gugulethu and Charlotte. The judges felt it lacked creativity, and Dr Tumi said: “The hard thing about these type of songs is that the lyrics are meant to be presented a certain way. So changing them can become a messy exercise.”
The choirs will go head-to-head as they compete in various musical challenges to claim the incredible R1 million prize money.
Don’t miss Clash of the Choirs South Africa on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) on Sundays at 18:00. Episodes will also be available on DStv Stream. Visit Mzansi Magic our website and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Get ready for a nationwide musical journey unlike anything South Africa has seen before. It’s time to harmonise and join the conversation using #MzansiMagic #COTCSA.
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