WATCH | Port Elizabeth-born singer Siki Jo-An wows The Voice judges
Within just 10 seconds, Port Elizabeth-born singer and performer Sikelelwa Qwazi, who goes by the stage name Siki Jo-An, had all four judges of The Voice South Africa vying to be her mentor.
This was during the hit reality talent show’s blind auditions, during which the judges hear the contestants sing, but they face away from the stage and don’t see the performance.
The contestant is thus judged solely on his or her voice.
Siki Jo-An, 25, originally from Kwazakhele, received a standing ovation following a pitch-perfect rendition of the Miriam Makheba classic,
Qongqothwane, also known as "The Click Song'" at her Johannesburg audition.
“I absolutely loved the ululating – you made me so proud of being an African right now. That was so stunning,” one of the judges, singer Lira, said.
“Ucula kamnandi [you sing beautifully],” another judge, Francois van Coke, said.
In the end, Siki Jo-An chose singer-songwriter Riana Nel as her coach.
“It’s so weird. When I was on stage I heard someone whispering to me, ‘pick Riana’, and, to tell you the truth, I thought it was someone from the audience or someone from the crew,” the Rhodes University graduate said on Friday.
“But when I walked out I asked the crew if it was them who said I must choose Riana and they all said no, they are not allowed to.
“So at that moment it was confirmed to me that it was my ancestors – I call them my angels – they were the ones who guided me in choosing Riana.
“And I’m glad I did. We have connected in so many beautiful ways,” Siki Jo-An said.
She said she was overwhelmed by the reaction to her audition.
“The video of my performance went viral on social media – I did not expect that at all.
“It’s something that I’ve been hungry to get.
“I’ve been praying to God and asking Him when is my time coming because I’ve been working hard.
“I’ve been performing since I was six years old, so now it seems all of my prayers have been answered.”
Siki Jo-An said it had not always been easy for her.
“I was raised by a single mother who gets a minimum wage. I am a graduate and because she has worked so hard to send me to school, she’s expecting me to help out at home,” she said.
“But I couldn’t help out because, as a musician, you never know how much money you will have at the end of the month.
“Also, relocating to Johannesburg was difficult. I knocked on many doors, including jazz clubs and restaurants, but they all rejected me.
“There was only one jazz restaurant that welcomed me. So it was the most painful time of my life not knowing how I’m going to pay rent, not knowing how I’m going to buy electricity and groceries.”
Siki Jo-An’s performance on The Voice South Africa was shared more than 3,000 times on Twitter and had received 7,500 likes on Friday.
Twitter user Nanakie reckoned the PE songbird was the one to beat.
“This is easily the best The Voice SA ‘blind’ audition I have ever seen,” Nanakie said, while Jabulile Mtshali said he would now be watching the show to follow Siki Jo-Ann’s progress.
“When does The Voice [SA] play? I’m watching and voting this year,” he said.
Thanking fans, Siki Jo-An said she took a risk by singing Makheba’s Qongqothwane.
“I am feeling all kinds of emotions – receiving love from everyone is so heartwarming,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Thank you for your appreciation.
“One of the things I like about The Voice is that they accept all kinds of genres and all types of unique voices.
“Today really confirms The Voice South Africa will be a platform for me to get more supporters.
“I appreciate you my old and new supporters. Thank you, again. I am humbled.”..
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