VIDEO: The Voice SA Season 3 – “Lekker ding!” Francois makes a comeback!

Riky was so impressed with his colleague’s improvement that he couldn’t help getting the audience to chant “Francois, jou lekker ding!”.  Turning to the ladies, Coach Riana Nel only has one more spot left to fill on #TeamRiana, with one recruit tonight bringing her tally to eleven, and coach LIRA is now trailing behind after securing her ninth team member in tonight’s only four-chair turn.

During the very first performance of the evening, LIRA broke The Voice SA rules again – this time, with an impromptu masterclass.  When 21-year-old music student, James McPhail from Benoni failed to get even one turn, LIRA discarded protocol by calling a dejected James back on stage. She then showed him how to tell a story from the heart with a song and encouraged the young, upcoming star to “ do the work and come back next time.”

Khokho Madlala (27) from Port Shepstone in KZN is not going anywhere, however.  The bubbly Khokho performed a spirited rendition of the Mafikizolo classic, “Emlanjeni” that had the Coaches dancing in their red chairs. When both Francois and Riky Rick pitched to add her to their teams, Francois quickly reminded her that he showed interest first. He needn’t have worried however because, as it panned out, the admiraton was mutual with Khokho coming on board “#TeamVanCoke”.

Pretoria student, Layla Sky (20) shared a touching story about how walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain helped her overcome childhood bullying and find her confidence. Having sung background vocals for Riana Nel, she was holding thumbs to land a place on #TeamRiana and her dream came true. Riana smashed her button just as she sung the last few notes of Corlia Fourie’s “Swart Koffie”.

Vanessa Kroeger (29), a makeup artist from Melkbosstrand, performed the 80’s classic “Wicked Game”, by Chris Isaac, and Francois seemed to be right on the verge of turning but in the end nobody pushed their button.

Itu Sings joked that he thinks he’s 37 years old but isn’t sure because “after 30 we don’t count no more!”. Itumeleng had the audience on his side from the first lines of his mini Bob Marley medley, but Francois waited until the climactic key change before he turned his chair, bringing #TeamVanCoke to nine members. “Next round we’re coming with the steals!” Riky vowed.

Mihi Matshingana (27) from the Eastern Cape is a music teacher in Johannesburg who dreams of “making the music of a generation”. Riana was visibly impressed when she performed Zahara’s “Phendula”, but unfortunately Mihi failed to secure a spot on this season of The Voice SA.

23-year-old Daniel Jay from Port Elizabeth tempted all the coaches with Kaleo’s “Way Down We Go”, but in the end it came down to Francois vs Riky again. “What a beautiful man!” Riky exclaimed once he turned and saw Daniel. After a protracted battle between our two Coaches, “the David Beckham of the Blues” blushed and responded, “You’re a nice guy (Riky), but I’m going to go with Francois,”

Closing off the night was music tutor, Slindo Zondo (29) from Durban who left accounting to pursue music against the wishes of her parents and struggled to make a way for herself. “I think when they see me on this show it’s going to change a lot,” she said. Slindo sang A Great Big World’s “Say Something” and LIRA turned before she’d even finished the second line with Francois rapidly following then Riky and Riana making it the first and only four-chair turn of the evening. “I’m speechless,” LIRA sighed. “Please, I’m begging you. Pretty please” she pleaded, and it worked, giving #TeamLIRA its first new talent in two episodes.

After tonight’s episode, #TeamRiana now only has one more spot to fill with eleven members in her team. #TeamRiky and #TeamVanCoke still have two spaces each, and there is still an opportunity for three more talent to join #TeamLIRA.

The Voice SA airs on Sundays at 17:30.