Next week it will be the Top 16 Girls’ turn to perform for their fans’ votes, but they could relax in the audience during the last show and enjoy a spectacular guest performance from Lesotho-born superstar Maleh, singing her smash hit You Make My Heart Go.

Siphelele Ngcobo (24) from Inanda in Durban kicked off the season 11 Live Spectaculars with Omi’s hit, Cheerleader, which peaked at number 2 on the Channel O charts.

Idols SA judge Unathi Msengana noted that Ngcobo had taken the judges’ advice at Sun City and picked a youth anthem for this performance. “Great song choice,” she commended him. “Halala."

Gareth Cliff cautioned Ngcobo to try to have some more fun on the stage. “For me it sounded like you were singing at a reggae coconut bar,” Somizi Mhlongo complained.

Randall Abrahams acknowledged that it’s hard to be the one opening the show, but he agreed with Cliff that Ngcobo had to own the stage. “I thought it wasn’t great,” he commented.

Johannesburg's Phila Madlingozi (25) was up next with a 'local-is-lekker' track: Ungowami, from Uhuru, featuring Speedy, Wizkid and Donald.

“You owned it – you made it your own song,” said Mlongo. “Well done.”

“They loved the song, they’re going to vote for you,” Msengana told Madlingozi, but Cliff pointed out that at this stage of the competition “everybody has to be outstanding otherwise you’re gone". He noted: "I really hope that was good enough for the votes.” Abrahams seriously cautioned Madlingozi to focus as much on his singing as he does on his dancing.

27-year-old Thami Shobede from Mthubathuba impressed the State Theatre audience with his performance of Ed Sheeran’s Photograph. “I think you handled that very nicely,” said Cliff.

“I think that you’ve got something special – I just don’t think that tonight it was revealed to the point where people are going to remember you. I think it could have been a bit better,” Abrahams explained. But Mlongo clearly disagreed. “Great one,” he said simply. And Msengana also thought that his performance would be memorable.

23-year-old Karabo Mogane from Nelspruit earned himself a standing ovation from Mlongo with his performance of the first Sam Smith song of the night, I’m Not The Only One.

“You are the first one I can guarantee you is through,” Cliff told Mogane definitively. “You have...” Mlongo started, before he dissolved into tears. “Your voice touches the heart,” he told Mogane. “If there was an Idols worldwide you would still be in the Top 10.” “You just Sam Cooked Sam Smith,” Msengana praised. And Randall commented that Mogane had always been one of the most likeable performers, but now also one of the most believable.

Following this was 20-year-old Rhema Varrie from Alberton with Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. Cliff thought Varrie’s performance was quite “studied”. “No doubt you have the voice,” Mlongo agreed, “But there’s something missing.” And he cautioned Varrie to “dress young”.

But Msengana disagreed. “You look incredible,” she said. “The only thing I’ll say is ‘smile, baby’.” And Abrahams expressed concern that Varrie was still so nervous. “On television its noticeable, it recognisable, and it’s not going to get you votes,” he said.

Lungisa Xhamela (24) from Langa in the Cape performed Touchin', Lovin', from Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj. “It was an okay performance,” was all Mlongo had to say. “The disconnect here is if you’re going to choose a song called Touchin’, Lovin’, you have to be it,” said Msengana. Abrahams thought that Xhamela was probably the best vocalist amongst the guys, “but you have to bring it”, he warned.

The youngest guy in the group, 16-year-old Loyiso Gijana from Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, performed another Sam Smith number (featuring John Legend): Lay Me Down.

“That is a technical tour de force,” said Cliff, “That’s my performance of the night.” A stunned Mesengana agreed, and Mlongo literally spoke in tongues. “It’s ultimately a singing competition,” Abrahams said happily. “And you sang.”

Ruan Grobbelaar (24) from Somerset West closed the first season 11 Live Spectacular with George Ezra’s Blame It On Me. “Well done, white boy,” Cliff said bluntly. An excited Mlongo said he could imagine Grobbelaar doing his first solo show in New York’s Central Park. “That was magnificent,” he cried. “What you managed to do which many of our contestants didn’t do was be believable,” said Msengana. Abrahams thought it was a good performance but not especially captivating in any way.

On Sunday, 6 September, the Top 8 girls take the stage in Idols SA on M-Net, channel 101 on DStv, and Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv. The Top 10 for Idols SA season 11 will be announced the following Sunday, 13 September.

For more information, visit the Idols SA website. Alternatively, connect with the show via Facebook and Twitter.