South African actress and dancer Bontle Modiselle won The Masked Singer South Africa season three, which aired on SABC 2 on Saturday 26 September.

BONTLE MODISELLE WINS ‘THE MASKED SINGER SA’ SEASON THREE

In the big finale of The Masked Singer South Africa Season three, the friendly dog character, Spotty, beat all her competitors and won the Golden Mask trophy. The mystery was finally solved: Spotty was actually dancer, choreographer and TV presenter Bontle Modiselle.

To win, Spotty had to get through two head-to-head battles plus a final showdown. First, Mosquito beat Chopsticks, and Spotty beat Gogga. Then it came down to a final battle between Mosquito and Spotty.When Mosquito, the runner-up, took off his mask, it was revealed to be content creator, dancer, musician and TV presenter Robot Boii. Both Bontle and Robot Boii are pretty close and often work together.

Chopsticks was unmasked as actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau. Gogga was actually Afro-jazz singer Judith Sephuma. Bontle joins past winners Holly Rey (season one, as Lollipop) and Warren Masemola (season two, as Giraffe).

HOW DID THE JUDGES DO AT THEIR DETECTIVE WORK?

Chopsticks: J’Something guessed actress Nandi Madida, which was wrong. But Somizi, Sithelo and Skhumba all correctly locked in Khanyi Mbau. They picked up on clues like her being an “It girl,” her closeness to her grandmother, and taxi-related hints from earlier episodes.

Gogga: J’Something correctly guessed Judith Sephuma, since he used to help set up her rehearsal space earlier in his career. Somizi also got it right after connecting a “cinematic greatness” clue to composer Hans Zimmer, which led him to think of his friend Judith. However, Sithelo guessed actress Nomzamo Mbatha, and Skhumba jokingly guessed Dr Rebecca Malope.

Mosquito: All four judges correctly guessed that Mosquito was Robot Boii.

Spotty: This was the hardest one to guess. J’Something almost said Bontle but thought she wasn’t a singer. He also wrongly thought it might be Pabi Moloi, then wasn’t sure between Bontle and singer Boohle and picked the wrong one in the end. Sithelo guessed actress Vatiswa Ndara, and Skhumba guessed sports presenter Motshidisi Mohono. Only Somizi correctly guessed that Spotty was Bontle Modiselle.

Somizi also won a separate prize, the Golden Ear, for guessing the most masked singers correctly this season. This included Khanyi Mbau, Lasizwe, and Judith Sephuma. After winning, an emotional Bontle said the show meant a lot to her, saying it helped her feel proud of herself in a way she didn’t back when she was younger and insecure.