Revived Top Billing Once Again Doing a 2026 Presenter Search This Time Using Social Media - How to Enter and Maximise Your Chance for an In-Person Audition

by Thinus Ferreira

The revived Top Billing on SABC3 is doing a new presenter search through social media to find a brand new presenter to join the existing presenters' corps of the weekly South African lifestyle magazine show.

At the end of the first episode of the new Top Billing on Thursday night on SABC3, Cardova, that is producing the show, announced that South Africans can now send in videos of themselves to audition for the show.

Previous Top Billing presenter searches through the years have been hugely successful. They were physical auditions over various dates in several South African cities, and people stood in line in long queues. 

These Top Billing presenter searches were filmed as TV reality shows, and underscored the desire of South Africans wanting to be a part of "the good life" put on display week after week by the show that has become an institution on South African television.

Simba Mhere was the winner of the first Top Billing Presenter Search in 2010, with Jonathan Boynton-Lee who won My Top Billing Dream in 2012 and is once again back as a presenter on the show.

Jade Hubner, Zoe Brown and Danilo Acquisto won the Presenter Search on 3 on 2015 and joined various SABC3 shows.

Ryle de Morny and Fezile Mkhize were two of the four winners of the Presenter Search on 3 in 2018 who joined Top Billing and are also both back as presenters of the revived Top Billing.

For the 2026 Top Billing Presenter Search, the search is moving to utilise social media.

People who want to enter must be 18 years old, must be legally entitled to work in South Africa and should exude Top Billing presenter qualities like the "it" factor with a lot of charisma, a sense of style and personality, and have a passion and knowledge of people and lifestyle content.

People who want to enter must record an audition video and explain and showcase briefly why they think they're the perfect Top Billing presenter, highlighting their personality, presenter style and what they would bring to the role in terms of perspectives, travel, culture and trends.

The video must be uploaded and posted on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or TikTok with the hashtags #TopBillingPresenterSearch and #TopBillingAudition, along with tagging @TopBillingTV and @SABC3, by 30 June.

Important for the audition video is to dress impeccably (no branded clothing) and to come across as self-assured and with charisma like a Top Billing presenter. 

The video should be one minute in length or shorter, and be a concise, professional clip or link about who you are and why you're the perfect choice to join the show as a Top Billing presenter.

The shortlisted candidates will go through to the next round of in-person auditions, currently set to take place during July and August. 

This will lead to on-camera challenges - similar to what the previous Top Billing Presenter Search shows did. With it will go possible TV appearances, background checks, and contractual negotiations and agreements.

There Is (Still) a Way: How South Africans Can Still Try to Get Sold Out Burger King SA's Mandalorian and Grogu Mugs and a Mandalorian Helmet

by Thinus Ferreira

For angry and frustrated South African consumers who went to Burger King and left disappointed with none of The Mandalorian and Grogu collectable mugs for sale for R40 as add-ons, there is still a way for desperate nerf herders to try and get their paws on one - including a Mandalorian helmet.

The highly desirable black Mandalorian and white Grogu porcelain mugs sold out - no word from Burger King South Africa yet on how many it actually had and sent to franchises - in just two days across the country.

Now people don't want to buy Burger King's Galaxy Mandalorian meals (which you have to buy first, in order to buy a mug), since the mug is the reason people were willing to buy the Burger King adult meal. 

It's bad for Burger King SA, which apparently severely underestimated just how popular the Mandalorian merch would be, and while the 8 collectable plastic figures are cute and also a "worthy" collectable, it really is the two mugs that Star Wars fans - big and small - are after.

The lack of available tie-in merchandise at Burger King is also a bad reflection on The Walt Disney Company South Africa. 

Consumers are lured to Burger King with a promise about Disney and Lucasfilm merch - basically a marketing proposition, but when the consumer arrives, there is no make-good on the promise or proposition from Burger King and Disney's Star Wars: You can't buy or get what you're told is on offer.

Disney and Burger King SA seriously need to rectify the problem and stop marketing the mugs and whatever is sold out (keep in mind the promotion is still supposed to run for a month!) and explain that to potential customers, or find additional stock and get it to Burger Kings across South Africa as soon as possible.

There is still a way to try and win some of the Mandalorian and Grogu mugs through Burger King.

Burger King SA is running a competition tied to the movie and merch on the Burger King app in South Africa. 

Download the app and click on The Mandalorian and Grogu vertical. Scroll down and click on "Join the mission!"

Here, Burger King receipts can be uploaded after taking a photo of it. A new competition runs weekly, starting on a Monday, and with winners announced on the next Monday. The first draw will be on Monday 11 May and the final draw will take place on 8 June.

Every Monday, Burger King will give away (the first Monday's winners will be announced this upcoming Monday): Burger King vouchers, The Mandalorian and Grogu merchandise like Grogu animatronic dolls or Grogu figurines, and sets (one of each design) of the mugs.

There are 120 mug sets up for grabs in total - so 30 winners every Monday will get a mug.

Every week is a new chance to win but only Galaxy Mandalorian meal purchases from that preceding week are included in the draw for that week.

Then Burger King SA has an "ultimate grand prize". At the end of the campaign, one lucky winner will get a The Mandalorian and Grogu hamper, valued at R25 000.

This will include a Mandalorian helmet, a Grogu animatronic doll, and a "premium lightsaber".

For this grand prize, all entries received throughout the campaign period will be included in the grand prize draw, so every Galaxy burger meal bought and uploaded will count as a valid entry.

The Mandalorian and Grogu will debut in South African cinemas on 22 May.

On TV, The Disney Channel (DStv 303) is running two Lego Star Wars series.

From 4 to 7 May at 16:30 there is Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy in which Sig Greebling unearths a powerful artefact from a hidden Jedi Temple.

From 11 to 14 at 16:30 there is Lego Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy Pieces of the Past in which Sig, Jedi Bob, Yesi, Servo and the villainous Dev return and must face off against a new enemy – the powerful and mysterious Solitus.

"Our heroes will make unlikely alliances as they traverse new and dangerous parts of the hilariously mixed-up galaxy in an effort to stop the growing threat Solitus poses to all they hold dear," reads a logline supplied by Disney Africa.

ALSO READ: The Cup Runneth Out: Burger King SA and Disney's Mandalorian and Grogu Mugs Sold Out in 2 Days in South Africa as Rabid Fans Swarm, Outlets Got Just 2 Boxes Each as Burger King Says 'Hopeful More Stock May arrive' But Without Promises

ALSO READ: Disney and Burger King in South Africa bring limited-edition The Mandalorian and Grogu figurines to meals and 2 mugs

South Africa's Competition Commission refers MultiChoice to Tribunal for Prosecution Over Altech Decoder Deal to 'Divide Markets'

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Competition Commission is referring both MultiChoice and Altech to the country's Competition Tribunal for prosecution after MultiChoice and Altech's decoder manufacturing deal and an allegation that they colluded to divide markets.

If found guilty, Canal+'s MultiChoice and Altech could be forced to pay an administrative penalty of up to 10% of their respective turnover.

According to the Competition Commission, MultiChoice and Altech contravened section 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Act with alleged market collusion.

According to the Competition Commission, MultiChoice South Africa and Altech UEC South Africa entered into a deal to "divide markets".

Altech is a manufacturer of set-top boxes (STBs) like DStv decoders, which are used to operate subscription-based or pay-TV services.

Canal+'s MultiChoice, which runs a pay-TV service, sources and uses STBs or DStv decoders made for MultiChoice by Altech.

Interestingly, at the time, the Durban-based Altech, that was then owned by Altron, started its own push into a video-on-demand service, the Altech Node that it launched in September 2014.

The Altech Node was a shocking and expensive failure, but it also seems that Altron was persuaded by MultiChoice, and agreed, to discontinue its own Altech Node, in order to keep the contract to make DStv decoders for MultiChoice.

Altron shuttered the Altech Node just a year later in September 2015.

In the complaint lodged with the Tribunal on 15 April 2026, the Commission alleges that MultiChoice and Altech entered into an agreement to divide markets by allocating suppliers and specific types of goods or services, in contravention of section 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Competition Act 89 of 1998.

"The Commission’s investigation revealed that in February 2014, MultiChoice and Altech reached an agreement for Altech not to enter or compete in the pay-TV market where MultiChoice operates."

The Commission says "This arrangement constitutes division of markets by allocating suppliers and /or specific type of goods or services."

MultiChoice in a statement says "The alleged conduct relates to a historical supply agreement concluded with a key supplier of set-top boxes, which came to an end in 2015."

"MultiChoice firmly denies any breach of competition law regarding this former agreement. We are considering the referral and will respond fully within the prescribed timelines."

Altron in a statement says "As a business committed to operating legally and ethically, Altron has fully cooperated with the Competition Commission throughout this process and welcomes the opportunity to participate in the tribunal proceedings in accordance with its established practice".

The Cup Runneth Out: Burger King SA and Disney's Mandalorian and Grogu Mugs Sold Out in 2 Days in South Africa as Rabid Fans Swarm, Outlets Got Just 2 Boxes Each as Burger King Says 'Hopeful More Stock May arrive' But Without Promises

by Thinus Ferreira

It's really "May" the 4th, as in may - with Burger King South Africa that tells me it may get some more Star Wars Mandalorian mugs after what it had for a new global campaign sold out in just 2 days.

Burger King South Africa is experiencing consumer backlash just days after starting a new global Star Wars tie-in promotion for the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie bafter it completely ran out of the R40 mugs sold as add-ons to Burger King meals.

After going on sale on last Monday, 27 April in South Africa and with the Burger King campaign still supposed to run for at least another month until 7 June, many potential Burger King customers are highly disappointed, angry and disillusioned after being turned away from Burger Kings across South Africa after just two days since Wednesday, 29 April, with the words "sold out".

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theatres in South Africa on 22 May, but South African consumers going to Burger King are out of luck if they want to buy the black Mandalorian or white Grogu mugs which cost R40, in addition to buying a meal.

The result is that potential Burger King customers simply leave without buying anything since they're not willing to buy the Burger King Galaxy Burger Meal, or the Mandalorian & Grogu Bounty Burger Meal, if they can't also buy the mugs.

In other words, it appears as if Burger King SA is going to struggle to move and sell any of these Mandalorian meals when counter or drive-thru assistants tell customers they have no mugs. Customers are going specifically to Burger King SA across South Africa for the mugs.

These mugs are part of Burger King SA's "adult" meals, but adults are buying them for themselves, as well as for kids. 

Burger King SA also has King Jr. meals, which come with one of 8 collectible plastic - and very cute - figurines. These are not sold out.

Adding Star Wars mech to meals is actually Burger King's incentive to move and sell more meals - but not without the mugs.

Over the weekend, TVwithThinus phoned (not all of them have landline phone numbers) multiple Burger Kings across South Africa in various provinces using the contact details listed on googlemaps. 

Every single Burger King, asked if they have Star Wars mugs, were very apologetic and said they're out and ran out very quickly.

"We only got two boxes," said Burger King in George at the Blue Route Mall. 

It's not clear how many mugs are in a box, but it appears as if Burger King SA severely underestimated the demand among potential consumers and potential Burger King visitors and Star Wars fans in South Africa who are willing to fork out R40 for these mugs.

Another Burger King said "we have no idea if we will get more boxes". Another Burger King said it was "hopeful" that more would be delivered. "It took us by surprise. The people really wanted them". A Burger King in Port Elizabeth said "we're hoping we get another delivery on Monday".

On Facebook hundreds of angry customers are venting to Burger King SA about how they've tried to take part in the campaign and tried to get the mugs - with one woman who drove to 11 Burger Kings with nothing to show for it.

While the campaign has been extremely successful for Burger King SA and The Walt Disney Company Africa licensing Star Wars to Burger King for the promotion, it is now also true that it is causing widespread disappointment and frustration. 

By Monday afternoon Burger King was still marketing the mugs and other Star Wars Mandalorian collectibles, although creating an expectation of something it is unable to fulfil once a potential customer arrives at a Burger King SA franchise and wants to buy a mug.

It's not clear how many of the mugs Burger King SA received in total to sell as the add-on in South Africa, similar to what Burger King is doing in 70 countries with this promotion.

Some customers are also saying they don't believe that all of the Burger Kings across South Africa even got the mugs inventory. These real ceramic mugs at R40 are significantly cheaper in South Africa than most licensed Star Wars merchandise found at major retailers.

Burger King SA originally said that the mugs and plastic figures would be a "while stocks last" promotion, with no plans for a restock.

Noma Maganisa, Burger King SA spokesperson, told TVwithThinus on Monday morning in response to a media query about the lack of mugs that Burger King SA "is currently about 98% out of stock".

"We are awaiting confirmation from our supply chain team on whether we will receive an additional batch. As the campaign runs until 7 June, we are hopeful that more stock may arrive; however, we are unable to make any guarantees at this stage due to ongoing shipment delays affecting imported items."

ALSO READ: Disney and Burger King in South Africa bring limited-edition The Mandalorian and Grogu figurines to meals and 2 mugs

SABC Trade Union Bemawu at Risk of Registration Cancellation in 60 Days Over Failure to Submit Audited Financial Records to Labour Department

by Thinus Ferreira

Bemawu, the only remaining trade union still recognised by the South African public broadcaster, is at risk of having its registration cancelled due to a failure to submit audited financial reports and other documents to the department of labour.

South Africa's government department of employment and labour has published a notice of intention to cancel the registration of the Broadcasting, Electronic and Allied Workers' Union (Bemawu).

According to the department, Bemawu has failed to comply with provisions of the Labour Relations Act and may no longer be operating as a real, registered trade union.

Bemawu and anybody interested now have two months to write to the department, before a final decision will be taken about Bemawu's registration.

Mary Ngwetjana, deputy registrar at the department of labour, told SABC News, that Bemawu has failed to comply with sections 89, 99 and 100 regarding the auditing of financial reports. 

Bemawu is supposed to submit audits of its financial reports to the office of the labour department registrar. Section 99 deals with the keeping of records, while section 100 deals with the mandatory submission of audited financial records and other documents to the office of the registrar on an annual basis.

Mary Ngwetjana said Bemawu hasn't complied with sections 89, 99 and 100 and that Bemawu has "60 days to remedy the situation".

'Difficult Decision' as 2026's 17th Durban FilmMart is Postponed to October Amidst Significant Funding Crisis

by Thinus Ferreira

Organisers of the 17th Durban FilmMart (DFM) have been forced to postpone this year's edition by four months to October due to a funding crisis.

The Durban FilmMart, usually held in July to run concurrently with the Durban International Film Festival - Southern Africa's oldest film festival - has now been pushed to 9 October.

The Durban FilmMart as a finance and co-production market was established in 2009 to try and stimulate the development and production of African cinema by connecting filmmakers with potential investors, co-producers, and distributors.

The Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) has not been postponed and is still scheduled to take place from 23 July to 2 August in Durban.

The Durban FilmMart organisers say that it has pushed the market four months later and to October "due to significant funding challenges".

"The viability of hosting the DFM event in July 2026 has been considerably impacted by the current global financial crisis, which directly affects funding for film and the arts in general."

"Significant changes in key funding partnerships and the ongoing reduction of local year-on-year funding opportunities present challenges for planning and strategic growth." 

Magdalene Reddy, Durban FilmMart Institute director, says, "Rescheduling the market has been a difficult decision but one that the board and management had to take because we remain committed to the pan-African film ecosystem we serve".

"Despite the uncertainty we face with limited long-term, multi-year support for the annual event, we believe that the space we create for African film professionals must exist and that it is essential to those who believe in the power and impact of African independent film."

"We encourage all those who never miss a DFM to move with us and join us in October for what they have come to cherish."

Although now held later, all DFM market activities, including the pitch and finance forum for live action fiction, documentary and animation, Talents Durban and the industry programme made up of panel discussions, masterclasses and think tanks will still take place in October as planned.

He-Man Creator Roger Sweet Dead at 91

by Thinus Ferreira

The creator of the He-Man action figure, Roger Sweet, died on Tuesday after a battle with dementia, TMZ reported. He was 91.

Roger Sweet was living at a facility where he was receiving care for dementia, paid for by a GoFundMe.

Very sadly, Roger Sweet wasn't rich from the billions Mattel made from He-Man.  He was a "work-for-hire" employee at Mattel and it means he never owned the hugely successful and hugely beloved intellectual property he helped create. 

He never received any royalties from Mattel's billion-dollar franchise's ongoing success, including toys, media, or upcoming films.

Roger Sweet was the lead designer for Mattel's preliminary design department during the 1970s and 1980's.

In 1976, Mattel said no to a deal to make a toy line for George Lucas' Star Wars. Roger Sweet then experimented by glueing different parts of different concepts together - specifically, bulking up a Big Jim action figure with a bigger body and a "fighting" stance, which became the prototype of He-Man in 1982.

Filmation and Mattel then launched the iconic He-Man and Masters of the Universe animation series that ran in conjunction with the hugely popular toyline. The animation series ran from 1983 to 1985 for 130 episodes.

The live-action reboot from Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel, Masters of the Universe, will release in theatres on 5 June with Nicholas Galitzine in the titular role.

Disney and Burger King in South Africa bring limited-edition The Mandalorian and Grogu figurines to meals and 2 mugs

by Thinus Ferreira

I personally love this and will be trying to collect it all - the figurines and collectable mugs which are part of certain meals, for a limited time, at Burger King in South Africa as a part of the upcoming Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu movie.

Disney is bringing Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu to movie theatres in South Africa from 22 May.

In the run-up to that, Burger King SA, part of Burger King worldwide, is running a tie-in promotion or brand licensing partnership with Disney for the film.

For adults, Burger King in South Africa has two limited-edition meals from 27 April: The Galaxy Burger Meal and the Mandalorian & Grogu Bounty Burger Meal. Each of these meals at Burger King comes with its own uniquely themed Star Wars buns.

For kids - and who are we kidding, grown-ups are going to be buying these as well! - Burger King has a limited-time Mandalorian King Jr Meal. 

Each of these comes with one of eight collectable The Mandalorian and Grogu figurines and it is these figurines which look absolutely collectable and super cute!

These Mandalorian King Jr Meals are served in specially designed packaging that enhances the storytelling element of the campaign.

There are also two limited-edition Mandalorian and Grogu mugs customers can buy are these: a black one with the Mandalorian, and a white one with Grogu:

These two mugs cost R40 each and can be added on to meals.

South Africa's Burger King is one of 70 markets worldwide where Burger King is doing Disney's exclusive The Mandalorian and Grogu collectables, and this one really feels like one that Star Wars fans want to be a part of, and spend money on collecting.

According to Burger King SA, customers can "also look forward to a limited in-app game and themed store takeovers designed to bring the world of The Mandalorian and Grogu to life beyond the screen".

Sabrina Ferretti, Burger King International vice president, in a statement about the promotion, says "This collaboration allows us to blend the bold flavours our guests love with the storytelling and excitement of one of the most iconic franchises in entertainment".

"From craveable limited-time menu items to fan collectable mugs and toys, we're giving fans of all ages a fun and flavourful way to celebrate the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu."

Lylle Breier, EVP Marketing Partnerships, Promotions and Events at The Walt Disney Studios, says "Star Wars is built on creating stories and experiences that invite fans to step into the worlds they love".

"Collaborating with Burger King across more than 70 markets globally allows us to extend that storytelling beyond the screen in a fun and unexpected way. We're excited to see fans engage with the immersive in-store experiences, custom content and innovative menu offerings as we count down to the film’s release."

Viewers might already be familiar with the TV series on Disney+, but the new film, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu follows the next chapter in the journey of Din Djarin and his young companion, Grogu.

Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White and Sigourney Weaver, and opens in theatres on 22 May 2026.

IN IMAGES. 25 Photos of 2026's 20th Metro FM Music Awards Black Carpet and Inside

by Thinus Ferreira

The 20th Metro FM Music Awards took place on Saturday evening at the Durban ICC in KwaZulu-Natal, preceded by a black carpet of half an hour, before the awards show began inside as a live broadcast on SABC+ and SABC1.

Here's a look at how the 20th Metro FM Music Awards black carpet looked, as well how it looked inside the actual awards show, along with some black carpet interviews.

ALSO READ: FULL WINNERS LIST. Cisa wins big, Zee Nxumalo shut out at 2026's 20th Metro FM Music Awards

ALSO READ: 2026's 20th Metro FM Music Awards on 25 April in Durban to honour icons in music excellence, adds Maskandi and Lekompo categories