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SOUTH Africa’s most flamboyant and successful choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo, has joined the Idols South Afica judging panel.

Somgaga – as he is fondly known by his many fans – will be the fourth judge alongside veteran Idols South Africa judges Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana and Gareth Cliff for the 11th season of South Africa’s biggest TV talent competition.

“I literally couldn’t sleep last night!” an excited Somizi said last weekend before he was introduced to the big crowd of wannabe Idols stars, who waited in anticipation to find out who this year’s judges would be. “I’ve never had a wedding but I imagine it feels a little like this. I’ve known about this for about two months already and I didn’t tell a soul,” he continued, “not even Unathi, and we’ve been working on her music video together every day!”

“I’ll be judging the ‘razzmatazz’,” Somizi explains. “Contestants are warned: from now on, a good voice alone isn’t enough anymore – I’m going to want contestants who have showmanship!” Somizi Mhlongo was born into Mzansi showbiz, as the son of the late comedian Ndaba Mhlongo and veteran actress Mary Twala.

He has been at the vanguard of South African entertainment for many years, in musical theatre and also as the choreographer of choice for music videos and live productions, including the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards and the Miss South Africa pageant.

He has also served as a talent show judge for two seasons of Dance Your Butt Off. Idols SA Season 11 auditions kicked off at the State Theatre in Pretoria last weekend. The next audition session will be in Cape Town at the Grand West Casino and Entertainment World today. The final auditions for Idols SA Season 11 will take place at Carnival City, East of Johannesburg on March 1. – Sowetan