Joined by FreshlyGround lead singer, Zolani Mohale, who recently wowed millions World Cup fans around the globe alongside Shakira, the notorious Idols judges arrived at the Cape Town International Convention Centre to pick the diamonds from the thousands of duds. From there onwards, their search evoked a repertoire of cries – from howls of disbelief to heartfelt sniffles and tears of joy.

One of the contestants on the emotional rollercoaster ride was Sandisiwe Sashuba, who entered the competition even though her mother firmly believed that she’s a terrible singer. The judges completely disagreed and Gareth Cliff couldn’t resist making a call to Sandi’s sceptical mother, telling her that her daughter would be going all the way to the Theatre Phase in Sun City.

FHM model, Adeline Mocke’s family also received a touching telephone call. Adeline’s dad has been terminally ill with cancer and she could tell him that her voice earned her a Golden Ticket to the next round.

Two of the other young ladies who impressed the judges with their voices were Charné Hugo, who has been wheelchair-bound since infancy and Berenike Segal, whose deceased dad, an opera singer, inspired her to follow her dreams.

However, the tear ducts really opened when Elvis Blue took centre stage. His unusual stage name derives from encounters with a little boy, named Elvis Blue, who died from HIV/ Aids complications, but it was his soothing performance and musical ability, which tugged at Mama Mara Louw’s heartstrings.

Unfortunately, the King of Rock didn’t give last year’s Wooden Mic winner (awarded to the worst singer of the season) a head start. Despite strenuous singing lessons, Jan de la Rey Wagener’s interpretation of the Elvis song left the judges cold, which means his fans will only be able to hear him sing 'Happy Birthday' at a local restaurant in the near future.

Jan already has strong competition in the Wooden Mic category this season. Jethro Champion’s high-pitched voice made a strong impression on Gareth Cliff, who will not soon forget the delicate – and not so delicate noise – made by the very anxious Tracey-Lee Falk either.

Still, judge Randall Abrahams, who vowed to be much friendlier during Idols 6, was chuffed with the level of talent in Cape Town. In the end, Randall and his colleagues handed out 27 Golden Tickets.

The following talented young musicians will be seen in the next round of the competition:
Adeline Mocke (22) from Upington
Andrei Damane (18) from Port Elizabeth
Berenike Segal (19) from Panorama, Cape Town
Carla Marques (19) from Blouberg, Cape Town
Charne Hugo (18) from Panorama, Cape Town
Chumisa Booi (23) from Worcester
Danielle de Kock (23) from Cape Town
Darren Oelofse (25) from Cape Town
Elvis Blue (30) from George
Gerhard Burger (25) from Durbanville, Cape Town
Graham Heerden (18) from Cape Town
Jarred de Kock (20) from Parow, Cape Town
Jean Ongansin (26) from Namibia
Jay Theron (28) from Durbanville, Cape Town
Kyle Matthews (22) from Pretoria
Leroy Mgada (19) from Monteque, now in Cape Town
Marlon de Goede (27) from Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town
Martine Loxton (19) from Moreesburg, Cape Town
Mujaahid George (22) from Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Neill Burger (22) from Kleinmond, Cape Town
Ntsebo Lerotholi (20) from Bloemfontein
Pontianus Dikuua (24) from Namibia
Robert Davids (27) from Belhaar, Cape Town
Rozanne Waldeck (18) from Ravensmeade, Cape Town
Sandisiwe Sishuba (22) from Cape Town
Tammy Uys (21) from Durbanville, Cape Town

After awarding coveted golden tickets in Cape Town, the Idols team moves to Durban to see what KwaZulu-Natal has to offer next week. The guest judge for this leg of the tour is one of South Africa’s biggest-selling and most successful commercial artists, Steve Hofmeyr. Watch as this opinionated judge tells it like it is to Durban’s eccentric contestants. Could another talented performer from this region follow in Idols winner Jason Hartman’s footsteps?