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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.