SAFTA-winning actress Shannon Esra blossomed as Protea on The Masked Singer South Africa.
Leading lady Shannon Esra has brought many memorable characters to life throughout her remarkable film and television career. In her latest challenging role, Shannon once again captivated audiences. But this time, she also mystified at least four fans – the detectives on SABC 2’s exhilarating guessing game, The Masked Singer South Africa.
Supersleuths J’Something, Somizi, Sithelo Shozi and guest detective Moshe Ndiki simply couldn’t root out that formidable SAFTA-winning actress (Lioness, Isidingo, The River and The Queen) bloomed as Mzansi’s national flower, the Protea.
This week, six Masks who survived the first round of battles set the stage alight in three thrilling face-offs. Known for their bite, Leopard and Mosquito tried to outspeed each other. The next showdown was between the cuties Chopsticks and Spotty, before the regal Protea and fast-food royalty King Pie vied for the crown.
From the moment Protea entered The Masked Singer South Africa Season 3, she baffled the detectives. When they first encountered the floral beauty in the previous round, her clue package was set in a fantasy wonderland, where she travelled through a snowy landscape in a unicorn-drawn crystal carriage. Protea also revealed that she was never meant for quiet corners – one moment centre stage, the next running towards the sun. Adding to the mystery, she occasionally adopts the identity of a character from the film Cocktail, and at 10 years old she discovered that her fists worked as well as her voice.
With popular SABC personalities dropping more hints this week, Protea sent a message via Tropika Island of Treasure host Zanele Potelwa. “Before I did the thing I’m known for, I was hosting children in outer space. My career started somewhere between sci-fi, chaos, and intergalactic gladiators,” Protea teased.
After Protea’s spectacular performance of the Motown classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough“, Moshe laughed, saying, “There ain’t no clue high enough,” a line that perfectly captured the detective panel’s poor investigation.
Drawing on Protea’s previous-round revelations, J’Something focused on the centre-stage and athletic references, convincing him that marathon queen Gerda Steyn had traded her running shoes for Protea’s petals. Sithelo tried to match her notes from the previous episode with the new clues, leading her to singer Sho Madjozi, while Somizi floated the name of singer-songwriter Cama Gwini. Meanwhile, guest detective Moshe hazarded a guess that Protea might be radio personality Khutso Theledi.
Unfortunately, Protea was planted in the Danger Zone alongside the two other Masks sent there after their duels, Leopard and Chopsticks. When the detectives were given the chance to save one of them, Chopsticks rolled to safety. So, it was time for the audience’s final verdict. Protea was about to reveal her true colours.
But first, the confused detectives had to put their final guesses into the flower vase. While Sithelo and J’Something couldn’t pluck any new names, Somizi latched onto Protea’s clue about children in space. Combining a rotating universe fixture with kids, he landed on singer-songwriter and fashion icon Moonchild Sanelly.
Of course, they were all wrong – and completely stumped when Shannon finally showed her face. But some clues suddenly made perfect sense. Shannon’s first television job was presenting a children’s version of Gladiators, set in outer space. And sometimes being a Cocktail character? That clue referred to her waitressing days while she was pursuing her acting career.
Sharing a laugh with the detective panel after her unmasking, Shannon admitted she thoroughly enjoyed hearing the wonderfully imaginative theories about who Protea could be, including Rachel Kolisi and Leleti Khumalo, after her first performance.
In a post-reveal Instagram Reel, Shannon described The Masked Singer South Africa as wonderful, outrageous and so much fun: “It’s something I’ve never done before and just such a vibe. The adrenaline…”
The Masked Singer South Africa is produced by Rose and Oaks Media for Primedia Studios and is sponsored by Andolex®, King Pie and Mentos.
The Masked Singer South Africa airs on Saturday at 19:00 on SABC 2, and is produced by Rose and Oaks Media for Primedia Studios, and is sponsored by Andolex®, King Pie and Mentos. Rebroadcasts are on Thursdays at 21:00 on SABC 1 and Fridays at 13:30 on SABC 2.
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