The Masked Singer South Africa

The Masked Singer South Africa
GenreReality competition
Presented byMpho Popps
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39
Original release
Network
Release3 June 2023 (2023-06-03) –
present

The Masked Singer South Africa is a South African reality singing competition television series that premiered on SABC 3 on 3 June 2023. It is part of the Masked Singer franchise and hosted by Mpho Popps. The format features celebrities singing in head-to-toe costumes and face masks which conceal their identities from other contestants, panelists and an audience. The second season premiered on 6 April 2024. The third season premiered on 4 July 2026 airing on SABC 2.

Format

Each season of The Masked Singer South Africa features a group of celebrity contestants.[1][2] In a typical episode, four contestants anonymously in costume each sing for panelists and an audience.[3][4] Hints to their identities, known as the "clue package" are given before and occasionally after each performs. The perennial format is a taped interview with a celebrity's electronically masked voice narrating a video showing cryptic allusions to what they are known for. During screenings of the clue packages, after performances and before an elimination, the panelists are given time to speculate on each singer's identity out loud and write comments in note binders.[5] They may ask questions and the host may offer additional clues.[6][7]

After performances conclude, the audience and panelists vote for their favorite singer using an electronic device.[8] The show uses a weighted voting system; panelists' and audience members' votes are worth 50 percent each and combined to form a score. The least popular contestant then takes off their mask to reveal their identity. This process of elimination continues for a set number of episodes until four contestants remain in the season finale and one is declared the winner after they perform again.[9] The "Golden Mask" trophy is awarded as a prize.[10] Voting does not occur for certain performances; contestants in an episode might occasionally sing as a group, and each episode concludes with the eliminated celebrity singing an encore unmasked.[11][12] Occasionally, the eliminated celebrity sings their signature song unmasked.[13] To continue attracting viewers, producers often modify the format each season.[14]

Panelists and host

The permanent panel consists of television personality and actor Somizi Mhlongo, musician and former celebrity chef J Something, socialite and media personality Sithelo Shozi, and comedian Skhumba Hlophe.[15][16] Mpho Popps hosts the show from season 1–present.[17][18]

Guest panelists

Season Episode Name Notability
1 5 Boity Thulo Musician
6 Tbo Touch DJ
9 Moshe Ndiki Television personality
2 3 Jason Goliath Actor
6 Kurt Darren Singer
8 Devi Sankaree Govender Journalist
9 Moshe Ndiki Television personality
10 Holly Rey Musician
3 4 Jason Goliath Comedian
5 Moshe Ndiki Television personality

Series overview

Series overview
SeriesContestantsEpisodesOriginally releasedWinnerRunner-upThird placeFourth place
First releasedLast released
116133 June 2023 (2023-06-03)26 August 2023 (2023-08-26)Holly Rey
as "Lollipop"		Kurt Darren
as "Rhino"		Maps Maponyane
as "Tree"		Abdul Khoza
as "Lion"
216136 April 2024 (2024-04-06)29 June 2024 (2024-06-29)Warren Masemola
as "Giraffe"		Shudufhadzo Musida
as "Blue Crane"		Aubrey Poo
as "Owl"		SbuNoah
as "Gold"
316TBA4 July 2026 (2026-07-04)presentTBATBATBATBA

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated works Result Ref.
2023 National Film and Television Awards Best Competition Show The Masked Singer South Africa Nominated [19]
2024 IAB Bookmark Awards Bronze Award for digital promotion Won [20]
South African Film and Television Awards Best International Format Reality Show (Season 1) Won [21]
Most Popular TV Presenter Mpho Popps Nominated [22]

References

  1. ↑ Dikhoba, Lesiba (2026-06-27). "Mzansi's biggest celebrity guessing game is back!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  2. ↑ Simelane, Nomonde (2024-11-02). "Did you know these celebrities had a 'hidden' singing talent?". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  3. ↑ Kwazi, Thami (2026-07-02). "The Masked Singer South Africa reveals new masks just before the start of the third season". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  4. ↑ Ngenyane, Andiswa (2026-07-01). "No more hiding behind the mask!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  5. ↑ Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo. "The Masked Singer SA returns with flair!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  6. ↑ Mamaila, Mzwandile (2024-04-04). "The Masked Singer SA returns - what to expect from S2". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  7. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2023-04-11). "The Masked Singer SA coming to screens in June: 'This is not a singing competition like any other'". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  8. ↑ Balele, Unathi (2023-04-05). "The Masked Singer South Africa to hit local screens soon". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  9. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2024-05-03). "See all The Masked Singer SA reveals: From a SAMA-winning actor to a UFC champ". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  10. ↑ Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo (2026-06-06). "The Masked Singer SA returns with flair!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  11. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2023-07-31). "Singing sensation Makhadzi gets unmasked in The Masked Singer SA". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  12. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2023-07-24). "Zozibini Tunzi the latest celeb to 'take it off' on The Masked Singer SA". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  13. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2024-04-06). "'Take it off! Take it off!' - After a 'deal with the devil' The Masked Singer SA is ready to entertain". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  14. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse. "From Victor Matfield to Doctor Khumalo: The who's who of The Masked Singer South Africa (so far)". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  15. ↑ Mamaila, Mzwandile (2024-04-04). "The Masked Singer SA returns - what to expect from S2". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  16. ↑ Selisho, Kaunda (2023-04-06). "The Masked Singer SA: Somizi and Sithelo to judge, Anele Mdoda to produce". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  17. ↑ Zuma, Mbalenhle (2026-06-04). "Masked singer returns to SABC2 with mega-mega stars". Sunday World. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  18. ↑ Lesemane, Lineo (2026-06-05). "'The Masked Singer South Africa' finds a new home for season 3". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  19. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2023-09-06). "See all the nominees of first-ever National Film and TV Awards South Africa". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  20. ↑ "Primedia Studios bags first SAFTA with The Masked Singer South Africa". IOL. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  21. ↑ Ferreira, Thinus (2024-10-26). "18 SAFTAs full winners list: Shaka iLembe crowned king with 12 wins". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  22. ↑ Ferreira, Thinus (2024-09-05). "2024's SAFTA nominations announced: See all the dominators and new categories at this year's event". News24. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
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