In an exciting episode of Mzansi Magic's Clash of the Choirs SA, KwaZulu-Natal’s Team Ntencane came out victorious, wowing the audience and judges with their impressive rendition of Khuli Chana’s ‘No More Hunger’. Their performance was applauded for its originality and strong vocal presence, showcasing the high calibre of this season’s competition.
Energised by an opening performance from Soweto’s Finest, the choirs were tasked with a unique challenge: choosing either hip hop or gqom songs to perform this week. Adding to the excitement, choreography was introduced as a key component of the performances, under the guidance of Soweto’s Finest.
Despite the challenge of performing these non-choir based genres, the choirs rose to the occasion, showcasing their range and creativity. Judge Dr Tumi praised the winning Team Ntencane, saying, "What I found interesting about your performance is that you repeated some words and I wasn’t getting tired." Fellow judge Buhlebendalo agreed, saying, "You guys are amazing."
On the flip side, Limpopo’s Team HLE received the lowest score for their take on KO’s ‘One Time’. Dr Tumi noted a gap in their performance and emphasised the need for teamwork and tightness in their presentation. Buhlebendalo voiced disappointment, saying, "Today I didn’t feel anything. I had to take off my headphones."
Team Khanyisa (Mpumalanga) performed a vibrant rendition of Skwatta Kamp’s ‘Umoya’, which received mixed reviews from the judges. Dr Tumi pointed out that their performance wasn't up to the standard shown in previous weeks, while Judge Zwai Bala mentioned issues with harmonies, highlighting the need to be musical rather than just effective. Buhlebendalo, however, appreciated their representation of hip hop, thanking them for not overperforming.
Northern Province’s Team Langa brought a high-energy performance with their take on Babes Wodumo featuring Mampintsha’s gqom hit ‘Wololo’. The judges responded positively. Dr Tumi found it entertaining, Zwai recognised their improvement and commitment to feedback, and Buhlebendalo said she was both entertained and impressed, adding that she was “wowed” by their performance.
The performance of DJ Maphorisa’s ‘Midnight Starring’ by Eastern Cape’s Team Lady Du was well received by the judges. Dr Tumi appreciated their effort, pointing out that sometimes effort is all it takes. Zwai commented on their improved confidence, and Buhlebendalo, while feeling the performance was a bit overdone, acknowledged the direction they were taking.
As the competition gets fiercer, the question on everyone's minds is: Who will be the next team to leave the Clash of the Choirs SA stage?
Stay tuned to Mzansi Magic Channel 161 to find out who will move closer to the R1 million grand prize and who will see their journey come to an end.
Clash of the Choirs SA airs every Sunday at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), with episodes also available on DStv Stream. Join the conversation on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok using #COTCSA