The entertainment rumour mill has been buzzing for a while that one or more high-profile politicians would be among the household names hidden in the outrageous costumes of The Masked Singer South Africa. But which political figure would be bold enough to serenade the country in the local version of the craziest show on television?
When the identity of The Masked Singer South Africa’s formidable Warrior was revealed on Saturday 8 July 2023, the man behind the mask turned out to be the one and only Mmusi Maimane.
The Build One South Africa leader was the sixth famous South African ousted from the fun-filled mystery singing contest. Previously, the audience parted with culinary queen The Lazy Makoti (Zebra), Springbok rugby player Victor Matfield (Rooster), soccer legend Doctor Khumalo (Soccerman), investigative journalist Bongani Bingwa (Banana) and comedy veteran David Kau (Hippo).
After surviving the fierce first round of the competition, Doughnut, Warrior, Lion, Robot, Fox, and Lollipop returned this week to wow the panel of celebrity detectives with their performances and confuse them with obscure clues about their identities.
In the hopes of nailing the mystery of who is behind the mask, media mogul Tbo Touch also joined sleuths J’Something, Somizi, Sithelo Shozi and Skhumba
The regular detectives on duty were entirely baffled by Warrior and his spectacular mask during the previous round. How could this fighter, who claimed to be making his stage debut, deliver such an electrifying performance?
From Warrior’s clandestine clues, Sithelo gauged that this hardworking, book-smart person belonged in the corporate world and then correctly guessed that he might be a politician. So, the name she provided was Fikile Mabula. However, Warrior’s dancing moves made J’Something believe it was the hip hop star Big Zulu, while Skhumba locked in Papa Penny. Hearing that Warrior shared a nickname, Somizi’s guess was Brian Baloyi, the soccer star who braved the corporate space.
This week, Warrior’s stunning performance of “Easy” by The Commodores once again didn’t match the tone of his tips. He let slip that his name, the first thing he owned, must be valued, that he’s married to the fairest lady in the land and takes religion seriously.
Latching onto a significant date in Warrior’s life – 11 February 1990 – helped J’Something crack the code. Yet, the panel burst out laughing when J’Something suggested Mmusi Maimane.
Tbo Touch was convinced it was a soccer player, but then again, Warrior’s dancing signalled that he was a white boy. Somizi agreed and settled on Mark Williams.
Sithelo stuck to Fikile Mabula, and after Warrior confessed the hardest battle to fight was the battle for hearts, Skhumba was dead sure it was businessman Romeo Khumalo.
Unfortunately, dazzling star Fox sent Warrior to unfamiliar territory – the danger zone. Finally, he lost the battle of votes against the long-legged Robot and king of the jungle, Lion.
With their final guesses, Somizi and Tbo Touch changed their mind to former rugby captain Francois Pienaar.
Everyone’s jaws dropped when Mmusi appeared from behind the Warrior mask. Only J’Something was spot on.
Mmusi, loving the experience, told the audience he decided to be on the show because his children love the international version: “Kgosi, Kgalaletso and Kutlwano will think I’m a cool guy.”
The Masked Singer South Africa is screened on S3 on Saturdays at 18:30 and SABC1 on the same night at 20:00.
