Friday, June 29, 2018

Here they are: The top 10 contenders of SABC3's Presenter Search On 3 - that includes the fastest man on sand.


SABC3’s Presenter Search on 3 is entering the next phase of the competition to find new presenters for some of the TV channel’s shows and in Thursday evening’s 8th episode announced the top 10 contenders that include the fastest man on sand.

Over the course of the next few episodes the top 10 contestants will be eliminated one by one following difficult TV presenting tasks with the last three who are left who will get contracts to become a presenter on SABC3’s Top Billing, Expresso and Afternoon Express.

The contestants will now be put through a series of presenting challenges to test their skills in front of the camera and that will push them out of their comfort zone.



Harmony Katulondi (28)
From: Johannesburg
Claim to fame: A model and voice-over artist who has appeared in some of the country’s biggest advertising campaigns.
Background: He has degrees in economics and econometrics. His style is influenced by his mother, who has her own fashion label that specialises in African prints. He is fluent in French and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Says: “I'm grateful to God and I feel so blessed to be in the top 10. It's an honour to know that the judges see something great in me – something great enough to give me the opportunity to be a potential SABC 3 presenter & ambassador. With all that said, I'm really looking forward to the master classes and going through challenges that will better my craft and improve the gifts and talents that I've been blessed with.”
Fun fact: He is also a Sunday school teacher.



Peelo Mookodi (24)
From: Born in Botswana, living in Johannesburg
Claim to fame: Has been a TV presenter in Botswana where she presented a lifestyle travel show on BTV.
Background: She is an entertainment entrepreneur with a passion for women empowerment. She obtained her degree in international relations and psychology at Wits, is passionate about education and in her spare time enjoys reading and cooking.
Says: “My initial reaction to having made it to the Top10 was that of pure joy and relief. With that said this feeling was also very short lived because now it means that the real work begins. Whatever brought me to the top 10 needs to be the reason I am crowned the winner. What I am looking forward to the most about being on the show is meeting all the incredible people that will assist in elevating my career as well as constantly being challenged which will force me to really refine my presenting skills.”
Fun fact: She says she has a photographic memory when it comes to memorising number plates.


Mosa Kaiser (27)
From: Johannesburg
Claim to fame: Started acting at the age of 6 and appeared in SABC1’s youth show, Takalani Sesame. She had a supporting role in 2004’s Academy Award-nominated film, Hotel Rwanda.She currently has her osn show on the urban radio station Massi Metro.
Background: She completed her honours degree in film and TV at Wits.
Says: “It’s a dream come true being in the top 10 this season! It’s so unreal. I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can about my craft and what being a presenter is truly about and to finally get the opportunity to potentially kick-start my career as a live television presenter.”
Fun fact: She loves impersonations and often impersonates her friends, colleagues and celebrities.


Shannon Leibach (22)
From: Johannesburg
Claim to fame: An acting student at Wits. In 2015 he won a scholarship to The New York Film Academy.
Background: He describes himself as selflessly devoted to ensuring people have a good time and part-time he organises and manages social events. Outside of acting, Shannon is a passionate scuba diver and loves spending time in the water with his dad.
Says: “Making the top 10 is the proudest moment of my life so far – it made my dad cry and that never happens! It is like a dream come true and an indication that I can achieve my dreams as the judges believe in me. I’m looking forward to spending time in front of the camera and learning from the crew because this industry is all about experience, experience, experience!”
Fun fact: He is a a sports fanatic and is obsessed with all things Disney as well.


Fezile Mkhize (27)
From: Johannesburg
Claim to fame: You might remember him from those JET TV adverts.
Background: He’s a medical doctor and chose a career in medicine to have a direct positive impact on the lives of others. Convinced to audition by his girlfriend, Fezile hopes that being a TV presenter will give him a bigger platform to live out his passion. In his spare time he enjoys reading and shooting hoops at the local basketball court with his friends.
Says: “Ridiculous! That is the very first thing I thought when I knew I had made the Top 10. I’m truly honoured and immensely blessed to live the life I live so having made it this far in a competition of this magnitude is more than I could have asked for. I am really excited to engage in the challenges and really test my mettle. I could inspire another young boy or girl at home who has many dreams and doesn’t think they’re possible. My mission here is to live my dream and inspire people and remind them that you can do whatever you want in life especially if it’s for the betterment of those around you.”
Fun fact: He used to be obsessed with playing marbles.

Thabiso Makhubela (28)
From: Originally from Hammanskraal, now living in Johannesburg
Claim to fame: Is chairman of the youth chapter at The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa.
Background: He did his postgraduate in Business Project Management at the University of Cape Town. An entrepreneur at heart, he runs his own brand consultancy in Johannesburg. In his spare time Thabiso enjoys and evening at the theatre, or feeding his adventurous spirit by skydiving or paragliding.
Says: “This is so exciting. I’m satisfied by the fact that I finally followed my heart and placed myself in a space that could see my presenting dream come true. Everyone in the top 10 is talented so it’s nerve-wracking but I am looking forward to stepping outside of my comfort zone and allowing myself to stretch with every challenge on the show.”
Fun fact: Thabiso is a dancer.

Palesa Tembe (27)
From: Durban
Claim to fame: She is an actress and Youtuber and uses her YouTube channel to highlight young passionate people who are leaders in their industries.
Background: She studied drama and psychology at Rhodes University. She says her family is the most important part of her life and she loves to give back by volunteering at children’s homes in the local community.
Says: “Being in the top 10 of Presenter Search on 3 is truly a dream come true. I feel an enormous sense of freedom and motivation and finally being able to be my complete self and fulfill my purpose through this platform. I look forward to growing and learning through this show, working on my craft as a presenter and building my brand in the process.”
Fun fact: She is the only girl in a family of four boys.


Laurina Machite (24)
From: Port Elizabeth
Claim to fame: She’s a social media influencer, lifestyle blogger and part-time student.
Background: She is working towards her global management accounting qualification and manages her own online platform that empowers women with a range of lifestyle and beauty advice, from fashion tips to make-up tutorials. Laurina lives with her mom and siblings in Port Elizabeth and enjoys spending quality time with them at home.
Says: “I am absolutely delighted about making it to the Top 10. I am so happy to know that the judges believe in me enough to choose me as one of the contestants to make it to this level. I am looking forward to continuing this journey with people that share the same passions and dreams as me. I am most looking forward to learning more about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry and about what it really takes to become an amazing presenter. No matter where my journey ends with Presenter Search on 3 I know I am going to come out of this having learnt enough to take me to the very top. I am expecting an extremely steep learning curve.”
Fun fact: As a YouTube editing wizz she has taught herself everything she knew from scratch.


Zikhona Mda (33)  
From: Cape Town
Claim to fame: She is an actress and voice-over artist who have appeared in the SABC1 drama series Amaza.
Background: This is a third chance at stardom for Zikhona who auditioned for presenter search both in 2012 and 2015. She enjoys spending time with her two dogs on the beach and is passionate about health and wellness, with a keen interest in yoga.
Says: “It feels unreal being chosen to be a part of the top 10 of Presenter Search on 3 this season. It feels that things are finally coming into alignment. I have been waiting for this moment my entire life and it feels fabulous. I am looking forward to learning a lot and growing even more. For me, this whole competition is one big presenter masterclass and I am so ready for it.”
Fun fact: She’s a massive foodie and loves to experiment in the kitchen.

Ryle De Morny (29)
From: Cape Town
Claim to fame: He is officially the title holder of “the fastest man on sand”. He won gold twice at the world championships for beach sprinting.
Background: Ryle de Morny is an entrepreneur, model and lifeguard. With a passion for fitness, Ryle runs his own company that manufactures customised gym equipment for athletes. He started lifesaving at the age of eight and has been performing weekend duties at local lifesaving club for the past 20 years.
Says: “It is absolutely surreal but at the same time it almost feels as if a dream is starting to materialise. A part of me has wanted this ever since the days of rushing home after school to try and watch Pabi Moloi and the rest of the KTV gang on TV as a kid. This show seems to keep throwing curve balls and surprises at me which is challenging. I’m looking forward to what that next surprise might be but more so growing from this experience. I found that in the short while that I have been a part of this show I have learned more than I imagined and hope for more to come.”
Fun fact: Ryle will spearhead Team South Africa’s men’s sprint and flags challenge at the Lifesaving World Champions in Australia this November.