'Lekker ding' Francois makes comeback

It was a slow start for rock legend Francois van Coke at The Voice South Africa Season 3 Blind Auditions. But, after securing three amazing new acts in last week's episode, Francois has caught up with his 'nemesis coach', Riky Rick. The cheeky rapper was so impressed with his colleague's improvement that he couldn't help but inciting the audience to chant “Francois, jou lekker ding!” Coach Riana Nel only has one more spot left to fill on #TeamRiana, with extra one recruit bringing her tally to 11, and coach LIRA is now trailing behind after securing her ninth team member in that episode's only four-chair turn. How the dramatic Blind Auditions played out: 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) 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. But he needn't have worried, because it panned out he and uKhokho were an immediate mutual admiration society!Then, Pretoria student Layla Sky (20) shared a touching story about how walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain helped her to 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 when Riana showed interest literally on the last few notes of Corlia Fourie's Swart Koffie.Vanessa Kroeger (29), a makeup artist from Melkbosstrand, performed the Eighties classic Wicked Game, by Chris Isaac, and Francois was tempted, but in the end no-one turned for Vanessa.Itu Sings told the cameras he thinks he's 37 years old, but he's not sure because “after 30 we don't count no more!” he joked. 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.Twenty-three-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, and then he blushed. “You're a nice guy, but I'm going to go with Francois,” Daniel announced.Music tutor Slindo Zondo (29) from Durban 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 for her by the second line of lyric, rapidly followed by the other three coaches, for the first 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 this episode #TeamRiana now only has one more spot to fill with 11 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. STAFF REPORTER

'Lekker ding' Francois makes comeback

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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'Lekker ding' Francois makes comeback

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-03

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