Bhut Malumz Publications

It is not every day in Komani that we see our peers on national television. Kwanda Mahlombe and Athule Konki have made this moment classical and should be written down.

In 2020, the female singers from Komani, Asanda Majelimani, and Sikho Naphina Nomnganga were eliminated on the first round and second round of Idols S.A season 16 Theatre Week respectively. The three males that proceeded to the Theatre Week of Idols S.A season 17 had a bar to cross that Majelimani and Nomnganga fell on. Unfortunately, one of the male contestants, Mthetheleli Qoza fell short and got eliminated on the first round of Theatre Week. Athule Konki and Kwanda Mahlombe looked promising as they proceeded to the second round of Theatre Week. They both crossed the bar Nomnganga couldn’t cross but did the judges see them deserving one of the Top 16 spots?

Athule Konki had a great first encounter with the musical competition as he scooped four yeses on his audition. He got better as the competition proceeded. He fell short on the last round of Theatre Week after retaining the Top 30 spot. He sang Molo by Aubrey Qwana, and judges were not utterly impressed. Somizi commented that he hasn’t been consistent and his road ended there.

Kwanda Mahlombe had a good start, although Zwai Bala could have confiscated his dream with a no. He had the privilege of displaying his skill of playing numerous instruments as he played the piano to judges on his audition day. As the competition proceeded, he got better with time. His wildest nightmare revealed itself when he had a one on one with Zukisa M at the final judgment of securing the left top 16 spot. He sang Own It by Stormzy which Unathi regarded as such a difficult song to tackle. Unfortunately so, it was the end of the road for Mahlombe.