Toya Delazy replaces Zonke behind The X Factor SA judges' table after unexpected death of her sister Lulu Dinkana.

Toya Delazy is replacing The X Factor SA judge Zonke on the SABC1 show produced by Rapid Blue this Saturday night after the untimely death of her sister Lulu Dinkana.

Lulu Dikana died last night following a short illness in hospital; the cause of death is still unknown.

Lulu Dikana's death comes just a year after the family lost their older sister Busisiwe in May last year.

Now Toya Delazy is stepping in and will also perform on Saturday's penultimate episode of the format competition show.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Zonke and her family during this difficult time. She has been a wonderful mentor to her acts and I will do my best to fill her shoes and provide support," says Toya Delazy in a statement.

Toya Delazy will join Arno Carstens and Oskido behind the judges' desk.

"The SABC and The X Factor SA send all our prayers to Zonke and her family. We thank Toya for agreeing to step in and join the judging panel," says Zandile Nkonyeni, SABC TV head publicist in a statement.

The X Factor SA judges will be Arno Carstens, Zonke and Oskido when the show starts on SABC1 on 6 September.

The X Factor South Africa's judges will be Arno Carstens, Zonke and Oskido it has been announced.

They will join The X Factor SA's presenter Andile Ncube who was announced at the beginning of last month.

The X Factor South Africa will start on SABC1 on Saturday 6 September at 18:00 on SABC1. 

It remains to be see whether South African viewers will be able to keep up and have as big an appetite for multiple TV talent shows running concurrently on South African television and which of these shows will be able to not only grab viewers' interest but manage to maintain it.

Besides the first season of The X Factor SA on Saturdays on SABC1, there will be Idols X on M-Net and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sundays at 17:30, and SA's Got Talent's 5th season on e.tv and those judges making their "X'es" also starting in September - a lot of homework for viewers, and TV critics.

The X Factor SA, produced by Rapid Blue, will unspool over the course of 15 weeks on SABC1, starting on 6 September and ending with a live finale in Durban on 13 December.

The winner receives a Sony Music Entertainment contract and R300 000 as a cash prize.

"This is a launch pad for somebody with talent but you also have to have the ambition, the work ethic and everything else," says Maijang Mpherwane, SABC1 channel head.

"SABC1 is delighted that Zonke, Arno Carstens and Oskido have joined The X Factor South Africa judging panel. They have years of experience both here and abroad," says Maijang Mpherwane.

"They are driven and hard-working and bring their extensive know-how and knowledge to the show".

Zonke is a multi-award winning singer, songwriter and producer and a multiple South African Music Awards winner. Her father was Vuyisile Dikana, the drummer of Black Slave and the Flamingo, and her late stepmother, Anneline Malebo, sang for Joy.

Arno Carstens is the lead singer of the Springbok Nude Girls, also won multiple South African Music Awards, and has toured South Africa, Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Oskido is an award-winning producer, performer, radio presenter and record producer who started Kalawa Records, and is a member of Brothers of Peace (B.o.P.)