Veteran SA Idols Judge Randall Abrahams Bids Farewell To The Show. SA Idols is coming back for season 18 very soon however, we will not be seeing the same faces sitting across the judging panel. It has been confirmed that TV personality and singer Unathi Nkayi who joined SA Idols as a judge in 2011 will not be coming back to the show.
More beans about the show changes have been spilled and it looks like Unathi is not the only judge that will be bidding farewell to the show. Reports have also revealed that veteran judge Randall Abrahams will also be leaving the show after two decades. M-Net director for local entertainment channels Shirley Adonisi, told the media that their contracts will not be renewed for the gig.
According to Shirley, the show is going for a fresh approach to retain the audience and stay competitive in the Sunday night time slot. She also thanked the former judges for their time on the show and sharing their knowledge of the music business.
“The channel will not be renewing their contracts with for the upcoming season of the popular singing show. We are taking a fresh approach to the judging panel to retain audiences and stay competitive in the Sunday night timeslot”
“We salute these great icons of South African entertainment and thank them both for great innings on Idols. Randall and Unathi have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and made an impact on the South African entertainment scene that will continue to be felt for some time to come. We wish them well in their endeavours.” she said.
Unathi has since confirmed her departure on social media after posting a heartfelt thank you to the competition sharing that it was an honour for her to have been a part of the popular show as a judge. She also thanked all the past contestants for all the laughs and will always remember when it all began after receiving a casting call for the gig.
“To those who unleashed a new level of my tears, heavily pregnant with Baby Idols garnering for Wooden Mic, thank you for the laughter and joy. I can never thank you enough, Anneke, for making that call asking me to join the Idols family. Gav and Prozza, thank you for trusting me with such a great responsibility. One that would form part of the narrative and soundtrack of our souls as a people. You changed my life and that of my family.” she wrote.
The upcoming season 18 of the show will premier later this year on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and we can’t wait to see which celebs will be helping Mzansi crown their next Idol.
