The seventeenth season of South African Idols premiered on 11 July 2021 and concluded on 21 November 2021 on the Mzansi Magic television network. The season was won by Berry Trytsman and the runner-up was Karabo Mathe. The season saw judge Somizi Mhlongo being asked to "take time off" from the show to deal with domestic abuse allegations against him. This resulted in him only appearing in the first few pre-recorded episodes and none of the live ones. He was replaced by a guest judge each week for the rest of the season.