Top Billing Lures 133 320 Viewers in First TV Return, Revives SABC3 Primetime Ratings as Cardova's Glam Lifestyle Magazine Show Viewership Holds Steady and Builds

by Thinus Ferreira

"Good night and God bless" indeed: The revived Top Billing, back on SABC3 after an absence of six and a half years, is pulling boffo ratings with 133 320 viewers who tuned in to watch the first brand-new episode on 30 April on SABC3, and with Top Billing's weekly viewership remaining steady and rising since.

As the SABC's most struggling TV channel, Top Billing's addition is single-handedly reviving SABC3's moribund and sliding linear TV ratings, proving that original and high-quality production content will scoop up viewers for advertisers and bring them to the channel for appointment viewing.

Besides a SABC3 repeat, Top Billing episodes also get a weekly repeat slot on SABC1.

Stripping out the SABC3 repeat, and besides the SABC1 episode replay, Top Billing lured 133 320 linear viewers on Thursday 30 April to the 19:00 timeslot on SABC3 in the All Adults 15+ demo - the one that advertisers focus on.

The next week, Top Billing held steady, luring 133 326 viewers in the demo on 7 May 2026 to SABC3 at 19:00, which increased for the third episode on 14 May on SABC3 to 177 008 viewers. 

Total Top Billing viewers would be even higher if the SABC3 and SABC1 repeats, and SABC+ were added.

The ratings for the first three Top Billing episodes are far from bad - especially considering its debut on a neglected TV channel that hasn't had any real, original local content or anything high-quality or substantive for years as an audience draw.

Cardova Productions, the SABC, SABC3, as well as show sponsors and advertisers, are surely happy with the positive Top Billing reception from viewers and the SABC3 ratings bounce. 

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.

Zozibini Tunzi joins as Top Billing presenter

by Thinus Ferreira

It's more than fitting: TVwithThinus can reveal that the former Miss South Africa and former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi is joining as a new Top Billing presenter when the magazine show returns from 30 April to SABC3.

Top Billing, produced by Cardova Productions, will return on Thursday 30 April to SABC3 at 19:00 with new weekly episodes, with a repeat on SABC3 on Sundays at 19:00, and another repeat on SABC1 on Tuesdays at 21:30.

The SABC ended Top Billing in October 2019 after 27 years on air but the show has thankfully, finally, been revived after a six-year absence.

Besides a group of former Top Billing presenters who are back on screen as part of the aspirational TV series - including Basetsana Kumalo, Michael Mol, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Ryle DeMorny, Fezile Mkhize and others - a few new presenters will also join, including Zozibini Tunzi.

The former Miss South Africa and Miss Universe 2019 is a perfect fit for the return of the glamorous lifestyle magazine show and is destined to become "the new Bonang", following in the steps of Bonang Matheba who joined as a Top Billing presenter in 2012.

Zozibini Tunzi is perfectly suited and has a custom-made pedigree through experience as well as a sought-after profile for the iconic "walk and talk" Top Billing format - both she and the show will jointly elevate each other with her addition as a Top Billing presenter, representing "the best of the good life".

Zozibini Tunzi's role as a Top Billing presenter will fit Top Billing like a fine white beauty pageant glove, and in turn the show will add to her allure, soft power and influence as a media personality.

With her natural glamour and grace and her history-making reign as Miss Universe 2019 and Miss South Africa 2019, Zozibini Tunzi brings a global level of sophistication and poise that perfectly matches and will add to Top Billing's inspirational and aspirational, high-end aesthetic for South African viewers.

With a Bachelor of Technology in public relations management, she also has the professional foundation for the communication, hosting and interviewing demands of the programme.

She also has a long-standing brand connection already with Top Billing: Her history with the show runs deep with Top Billing that famously toured her luxury Sandton apartment during her Miss SA reign, and she even auditioned for the Top Billing Presenter Search earlier in her career.

Furthermore, Zozibini Tundi as a model and a black model and a black female model is the epitome of empowerment and female empowerment in South Africa. 

Joining as a Top Billing presenter perfectly aligns with Top Billing's "modern evolution" of the show for SABC3, focusing on authenticity and empowerment alongside traditional luxury.

Not only will Zozi interview and hobnob with the rich and famous - she herself is who viewers want to see and "be" with.

Besides covering high-profile people and events, she has zeitgeist cache and public interest power as a current "it-girl", underscored by things like the interest in her personal milestones, like her wedding in March 2025 to Luthando Bolowana, which underscores the exact type of cultural "magic" that she represents and will add to Top Billing.

"We are incredibly excited to bring Top Billing back to South African screens," says Patience Stevens, managing director at Cardova Productions and executive producer of Top Billing.

"This show has always been about celebrating what's possible. Bringing it back now, at a time when inspiring local stories matter more than ever, feels incredibly special. We're honouring the legacy while creating something that feels fresh, relevant and deeply connected to today's audience."

Bradley Van Den Berg, chief operating officer at Cardova Productions and executive producer of Top Billing, says "Top Billing has always stood for excellence, aspiration and storytelling at the highest level".

"This new chapter is about evolving that legacy for a modern audience, keeping the heart of what made the show iconic, while introducing a sharper, more dynamic take on the good life that resonates with South Africans today."

Dichaba Phalatse, SABC video entertainment marketing manager, says "The return of Top Billing marks a defining moment for SABC3 as we continue to position the channel as a home of iconic South African storytelling, reimagined for today's audience".

"This is not just about a comeback - it's a cultural rest where legacy meets a new generation of viewers who are shaping what aspiration looks like now. Top Billing remains a powerful expression of possibility, and we are excited to bring that energy back in a way that feels unapologetically South African."

UPDATE Tuesday 21 April 2026 09:00:

Also joining as new presenters are Bryoni Govender, the Miss South Africa 2023 runner-up, the actor Arno Greeff, as well as Sine Mpulu as this new season's dedicated social media presenter.

"We are incredibly excited to bring Top Billing back with this dynamic mix of returning favourites and fresh new talent," says Patience Stevens, in a statement.

"Each presenter brings their own unique energy and perspective. Together, they will continue Top Billing's proud legacy of celebrating the very best of our country while delivering the aspirational, feel-good content viewers have missed and new audiences are eager to discover."

Bradley Van den Berg says "Bringing together a mix of iconic Top Billing presenters and exciting new talent was a very intentional decision".

"This season is about honouring the legacy that audiences know and love, while evolving the show to reflect the energy, diversity and ambition of modern South Africa. Each presenter brings a unique perspective, and together they create a dynamic storytelling experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new."

Revived Top Billing return to TV a no-show in March without explanation, SABC says lifestyle magazine show 'on SABC3 remains in development'

by Thinus Ferreira

After the SABC announced in late 2025 that a revived Top Billing would start as a new weekly show during March 2026 on SABC3, that didn't happen and the public broadcaster doesn't want to explain why.

In November 2025, the SABC announced that the iconic lifestyle magazine show Top Billing would be returning to SABC3 from March 2026 with several of the former famous presenters, six years after it was cancelled in October 2019.

The revived Top Billing is produced by Cardova Productions.

In November the SABC said that Top Billing is coming back with "a new chapter that will see the show back on air with a reunion special on 27 November on SABC3, followed by weekly episodes from March 2026".

The new "weekly episodes from March 2026" have however not come to pass and the SABC has been silent about why Top Billing isn't back this month, about the delay with the transmission or TX date, and when it will now start.

Caroline Phalakatshela, SABC publicist, in response to a media query about Top Billing, told TVwithThinus "The SABC confirms that the return of Top Billing on SABC3 remains in development, with final production and contractual processes currently being concluded".

"As these processes are being finalised, the broadcaster will confirm the official broadcast date once all requirements have been completed. The SABC looks forward to bringing the iconic lifestyle programme back to audiences on SABC3 and appreciates the strong interest from viewers and the media."

ALSO READ: SABC revives Top Billing with Cardova produced lifestyle magazine show back from March 2026 with former faces, adding a shorts format, looking at doing TikTok presenter search

SABC revives Top Billing with Cardova produced lifestyle magazine show back from March 2026 with former faces, adding a shorts format, looking at doing TikTok presenter search

Thinus Ferreira

The iconic weekly South African lifestyle magazine show Top Billing will return to SABC3 from March 2026 with several of the former famous presenters, six years after it was cancelled in October 2019. 

Returning within a social saturated TV era, Top Billing also plans to do a TikTok Top Billing Presenter Search to find new presenters and will interact and engage viewers by adding a Top Billing shorts format as a second-screen experience.

Talking about experiences, besides the weekly TV show, Top Billing also plans to branch out into finely-curated "Top Billing Experiences" where viewers, fans and VIP guests will be able to physically get together in unique locales and settings, together with the presenters, around certain experiences and curated lifestyle celebrations with sponsors.

The Top Billing announcement was made on Tuesday evening at the Chefs Warehouse restaurant at the Tintswalo Atlantic hotel near Chapmanspeak in Cape Town, where an exclusive gathering of 90 people, including several former Top Billing presenters, feasted on a specially curated 7-course dinner, in true "Top Billing"-style.

The SABC issued no press release about the Top Billing revival.

Also in attendance at the event were Patience Stevens and Batsetsana Kumalo, the original executive producers who steered Top Billing under the Tswelopele Productions banner, and who will once again run the show, this time as a Cardova Productions show, together with Bradley BalsamoVan Den Berg.

Top Billing will kick off with a special Top Billing reunion episode on Thursday 27 November on SABC3 with several of the former presenters back to do a special episode, after which the regular season will start from March 2026 on the channel.

In attendance on Tuesday night were various producers, influencers, SABC executives, Patience Stevens and Basetsana Kumalo, along with the SABC's head of local productions Lala Tuku.

Former Top Billing presenters also attended, including like Michael Mol, Janez Vermeiren, Jonathan Boyton-Lee, Fezile Mkhize, Ryle de Mornay, and Harmony Katulondi.

Clover's Cardova produced AFP Tropika Island of Treasure back for 11th season on SABC3 to be filmed in Zanzibar.

by Thinus Ferreira

The advertiser-funded production (AFP) Tropika Island of Treasure will return for an 11th season to SABC3, again produced by Cardova productions, with the Clover-branded competition reality show that will film the upcoming season in Zanzibar.

The South African celebrities who will be paired with people who enter are Hungani Ndlovu (actor), Karl Kugelmann (model), Omuhle Gela (actor), Bobby van Jaarsveld (singer), Chad Jones (TikTok influencer), Nqobile Khwezi (model), and Ndavi Nokeri (model). 

Zanele Potelwa will be the host of this season of Tropika Island of Treasure which will air around September on SABC3 for 13 episodes.

Last month the Zebra Square PR company that communicates on behalf of Tropika Island of Treasure held a  pre-season announcement lunch at Gigi Restaurant in WaterFall Corner in Johannesburg to which only some media were invited to and the rest not told about.

Media who were included and attended the pre-season announcement lunch were told Zanele Potelwa will be the presenter for the new season, that the 11th season will be taking place in Zanzibar, as well as who the celebrity participants for this season will be.

ALSO READ: Clover's Tropika Island of Treasure returns for 11th season in 2024 with Zanele Potelwa as host.

Clover's Tropika Island of Treasure returns for 11th season in 2024 with Zanele Potelwa as host.

by Thinus Ferreira

The radio presenter Zanele Potelwa who is also the newest addition of the Expresso morning show on SABC3 will host a new season of Tropika Island of Treasure this year, with the advertiser-funded production (AFP) which will return for an 11th season to SABC3 around September.

Clover's Tropika is once again the sponsor of the upcoming season which will have 13 episodes as well as South African celebrities who will team up with South Africans selected from entries.

Season 11 of Tropika Island of Treasure will once again be produced by the Cape Town-based Cardova Productions, also responsible for Expresso on SABC3.

This time it will be Zanele Potelwa who will be whisked off to a tropical island together with this year's chosen contestants, where they will compete in various challenges as they're whittled down to a winner that will get R1 million.

"This year, the show is pushing the boundaries once again, introducing a fresh batch of castaways ready to face their fears and outwit their rivals for the ultimate prize," says the show. 

The celebrity contestants whose names have not yet been revealed, will include "a charmer", an athlete, an "enigma", a comedian, an "island veteran" survivor, an underdog, a leader, a social butterfly, and "the brain", as well as "the wild card".

Ewan Strydom returns to SABC3’s Expresso after 3 years: ‘I missed that rush of live TV’.

by Thinus Ferreira

After exiting SABC3 in April 2019 to appear on kykNET for the past three years, Ewan Strydom is back at Expresso as a TV presenter saying that he missed the rush of live TV.

Ewan Strydom who lives in Blouberg and turns 40 on 8 March, will now appear simultaneously on two TV channels - in the mornings on SABC3's breakfast show produced by Cardova Productions in Tokai, Cape Town; as well as on Sunday evenings on Bravo! on kykNET (DStv 144), which is produced by Homebrew Films in Montague Gardens.

Ewan Strydom made his surprise Expresso return on Wednesday 8 February last week. It happened without any fanfare and no press release like when the disgraced relationship cheater Katlego Maboe unexpectedly returned to Expresso in August 2022 after two years with a sit-down on-camera interview.

kykNET confirms to TVwithThinus that Ewan Strydom remains part of the presenter team of the Sunday night Afrikaans celebrity profile magazine show Bravo!, the series he left Expresso for three years ago. 

Last year, Ewan Strydom who is married to Adrienn (38) and has two sons Kèan (9) and Dominic (6), was also the presenter of the first season of the Afrikaans reality competition show Plaasjapie on kykNET.

Ewan Strydom tells TVwithThinus that "the best way to describe being back is 'refreshing'. I have missed my feel-good family tremendously, and that rush of live TV."

"After nearly 3 years, a lot has changed. I grew in so many ways, yet returning to Expresso, I feel familiarity….and I'm excited. Stepping back onto the Expresso studio floor brings back so many feel-good memories, and I'm looking forward to making a lot more."

Patience Stevens, producer, says "We are delighted to welcome back Ewan Strydom as a regular presenter on Expresso on S3. Viewer response has been very positive – with the comments being that it is as if Ewan had never left, and how seamless and natural it is to have him back on the show again."

Cardova Productions' Island of Treasure All-Stars on SABC3 again heads to the Seychelles for reality competition show's 10th season.

by Thinus Ferreira

The 10th season of Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars on SABC3 is once again heading to the Seychelles with the competitors who will once again be staying in the Constance Ephelia beachside resort on the Mahé island.

Anga Makubalo is the host with the new "all-stars" season of the advertiser-funded production (AFP) from Clover, once again produced by Cardova Productions, which has a set of returning celebrity contestants, paired with 18 South Africans who have been chosen out of the entries received to be on the show.

Island of Treasure used the Seychelles for the 7th season in which Anga Makubalo, known as NaakMusiq, won. 

For the upcoming 10th season the celebrity contestants are Kelly Khumalo, Nay Maps, Sashi Naaido, Brendan Peyper, Maurice Paige, Roxy Louw, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Karlien van Jaarsveld and Khanya Mkangisa.

Eighteen contestants have been announced, including the 27-year old fitness trainer Simphiwe; model and middle-weight boxer Tayne; Lerecia; model and actor Dain; the international model scout and trainer Bianca; Olympic athlete Alyssa; actor Zweli Dube; content creator Sria and journalism graduate Melo.

Also included are fitness fanatic Jae; model Ruan; third-year law student Taryl; model Neena; fitness junkie Liardus; and Shonisani who has two masters degrees. The contestants also include the former pro-rugby player turned private trainer Ofentse Boloko; boot camp instructor Lenani; and fitness content creator Beuton.

The new 10th season is expected to debut on SABC3 in September in which contestants take part in various stamina, mental, time and skills-based challenges for the chance to win R1 million.

Tropika Island of Treasure returns to SABC3 in 2022 for an 'All Stars' 10th season with Anga Makubalo as host.

by Thinus Ferreira

Tropika Island of Treasure is returning for a 10th season to SABC3 with Anga Makubalo as the host and a set of returning celebrity contestants in an "All Stars" season, similar to M-Net's upcoming 9th season of Survivor South Africa.

Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars, an advertiser-funded production (AFP) from Clover once again produced by Cardova Productions, had a media launch event last week in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.

Anga Makubalo, also known as NaakMusiq, will be the host of the new season of Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars that will film in mid-2022 with a likely broadcast date on SABC3 between September and December.

He won the 7th season which was set in the Seychelles. "Bringing back a past winner returning as the host is a smooth way to celebrate the past winners of the show," says Miantha Roux, Clover beverages marketing manager, in a statement.

"We are excited to be bringing back Tropika Island of Treasure after a year-long Covid-19 hiatus. This 10th season we hope will be smoother than any other with a celebration consisting of returning All Star contestants taking their dreams once again to paradise."

Anga Makubalo also recorded the new theme song for the 10th season, and it will be released soon as a download.

"I'm really looking forward to hosting this All Stars season. Tropika Island of Treasure has had incredible hosts in the past and I can only be excited to be part of that tapestry in the celebration of 10 seasons," says Anga Makubalo.

"Most of all, I'm excited to observe the All Stars celebrities and new contestants that will feature in this new season, competing to unlock the treasure."

Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars is currently waiting for entries with people who can send an audition video on whatsapp to 082 857 8054 in April and May.

During the second phase between September to December 2022, Tropika Island of Treasure: All Stars will be broadcast on SABC3 with 9 celebrities and the chosen contestants competing in a series of captivating challenges somewhere on an island.

"The show will be bigger and better, and we promise our viewers and consumers adrenaline-filled fun and entertainment with nail-biting and exciting challenges," says Barbara George,

Tropika senior brand manager.

CORONAVIRUS. Tiger Brands' KOO packs them in during Covid-19 for the media launch event of its advertiser-funded show Colour Your Plate with KOO with Basetsana Kumalo on SABC2.

image on Twitter @BuzzLifeNews

People arrived, hugged, stood shoulder-to-shoulder without masks for selfies, hanged on each other, and then sat down without any apparent social distancing to drink and eat as they mingled at Tiger Brands and KOO's media launch event this week - during South Africa's Covid-19 pandemic - for Tiger Brands' new advertiser-funded show Colour Your Plate with KOO on SABC2.

Colour Your Plate with KOO, an AFP competition reality show for Tiger Brands produced by Cardova Productions with Basetsana Kumalo, held a media event this week where social media influencers and other guests pitched up to see what there is to eat, to drink and to maybe get as gifts.

Several in the group of people - who are not family and not all living together - apparently dutifully played along in exchange for free food with apparently scant regard that a Covid-19 pandemic is raging in South Africa and the world.

The guests and media filled social media like Twitter and showed the public images of them having a good time at Colour Your Plate with KOO - without wearing masks for Covid-19 that are mandatory - and sitting very close together, indoors - as seen on the shared photos - for the media presentation.

Meanwhile waiters were spotted seen walk around with their masks not covering their noses defeating the purpose of the perfunctory exercise of wearing a face-covering.

Held at the Simbali Lodge and Function Venue in Pretoria East, Tiger Brands' Colour Your Plate with KOO media launch event held on Wednesday doesn't appear - judged by the various photos on social media - to adhere to all basic social distancing rules.

Guests were seated close to each other at two long tables where chairs are apparently no further spaced apart than what the situation was before the Covid-19 pandemic, with people sitting elbow-to-elbow as they ate and breathed the same air indoors as they laughed and snapped selfies to self-indulgent delight.

TVwithThinus asked Tiger Brands why its Colour Your Plate with KOO media event didn't make sure that people are wearing masks at all times and wearing their masks properly, why it appears that social distancing protocols were not observed, why guests were seen walking around and taking photos without masks and hugging each other, and why they were seated at tables right next to each other.

Tiger Brands was also asked how Tiger Brands and KOO sees its corporate social responsibility, given the dangerous ongoing environment of Covid-19, to protect guests during physical events.

Edna Mohale-Maphita, marketing director: culinary at Tiger Brands in response to the media query, says that Tiger Brands is "committed to providing a safe environment for our employees and those who visit our facilities or attend events that are hosted by the company".

"The Colour Your Plate with KOO launch event was planned and implemented under the guidance of a Covid-19 compliance officer and executed in line with the current level 1 guidelines."

"Temperature screening of guests took place, a contact register was maintained and hand sanitiser was widely available to guests."

Unscripted happy moments always get the best out of me.

Thanks @KOO_Food for an amazing day.#ColourYourPlateWithKOO #NtsikiTheBillionaire pic.twitter.com/efmcJGqxMy

— Ntsiki The Billionaire 🇿🇦🇺🇲 (@IAm_Ntsiki) October 7, 2021

image on Twitter @IAm_Ntsiki

Edna Mohale-Maphita says that "The guest list was capped at 80 people and our choice of venue provided a combination of indoor and outdoor areas with sufficient space available to accommodate social distancing".

"The seating plan was designed to allow for adequate spacing between guests and outside spaces were set up with Covid-19 protocols in mind."

"Similar to a dining experience in a restaurant, guests removed their masks to eat and drink during the event," Tiger Brands says.

This is definitely my new favorite show!! #ColourYourPlateWithKoo pic.twitter.com/wAUH8vAxhI

— M A N D I S I 🐐 (@Mandisi_II) October 6, 2021

image on Twitter @Mandisi_II

There's been no press release or any media material issued about Colour Your Plate with KOO by the SABC or SABC2 about the show before it started, with no publicity material sent to the press after the media event of what was said, announced or happened there.

A lot of media covering TV have absolutely no idea of Colour Your Plate with KOO, or what the show entails or is about. 

The Covid-19 pandemic remains dangerous with hundreds of people still getting infected daily in South Africa and people dying from Covid-19, while thousands more are infected and dying across Africa and the rest of the world. 

The South African government is urging people to please get their Covid-19 vaccinations, with a possible fourth Covid-19 wave predicted for December for the country since people are not taking Covid-19 safety protocols seriously and are not properly adhering to the practical rules of wearing a mask in public, limiting public and social interaction, are not practising social distancing and are not keeping away from other people at events.  

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. M-Net West Africa and MultiChoice Nigeria show callous disregard to enforce mask-wearing or social distancing safety protocols at its media event for new Africa Magic series.

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. China's StarTimes behaves as if Covid-19 doesn't exist, throws Nigerian launch party in Lagos for new comedy series Okirika. 

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Just another white wedding: MultiChoice and M-Net do hollow lip-service and PSAs about Covid-safety - but show DStv subscribers a whole other reality where a coronavirus pandemic apparently doesn't exist.

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Africa and M-Net claim it's practising and adhering to Covid-19 TV and film production regulations - but shocking photos show a lack of mask-wearing and flouting of social distancing on set.

The embattled former morning show presenter Katlego Maboe is not returning to SABC3's Expresso.

by Thinus Ferreira

Katlego Maboe won't be back on Expresso with SABC3 saying that claims circulating on social media about the return of the channel's former presenter who is mired in scandal, are all unfounded rumours.

Katlego Maboe was arrested on 2 January for contempt of court and appeared in court on 6 January in the Goodwood Magistrate's Court in Cape Town.

It's part of an ongoing court case after the acrimonious and highly-publicised split in late-2020 between Katlego Maboe and his former lover and mother of his child, Monique Muller.

In a sensational video, Katlego Maboe, dressed in a gown, sheepishly confessed to Monique about an extra-marital affair and sex with another woman, with Monique who said that that Katlego gave her a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) and damaged her womb, affecting the chances of her having another child.

In another video Monique said that Katlego Maboe allegedly physically abused her as well, saying that "When the first physical attack happened I got a protection order against him".

In a statement, Katlego Maboe said that "I was unfaithful to my partner during a very important time of our lives - an act I regret to this day. We are currently undergoing an unfortunate and painful separation which is being resolved through legal proceedings".

Earlier this month a "Home of Celebs" page on Facebook created a false rumour, claiming that "Katlego Maboe got a second chance. Yes, Kat is back on Expresso. After a massive fight and petitions to bring him back with gender-based violence (GBV) allegations, Mr Maboe can breathe a sigh of relief as Expresso morning show renewed his contract."

This is completely false. Cardova Productions that produces the morning show for SABC3 from its studio in Tokai has not renewed any contract with Katlego Maboe. He will definitely not be back on Expresso soon and his contract has not been renewed.

In response to a media enquiry to SABC3, Patience Stevens, owner of Cardova Productions says "the rumours circulating on social media is fake news".

Patience Stevens said that the statement that Cardova issued on 23 October 2020 still applies.

In that strongly-worded statement, Cardova Productions said that the SABC3 morning show "condemns any acts of violence and mistreatment, especially against women and children and take such allegations very seriously".

"Certain serious allegations have been posted on social media about Katlego Maboe and, last night, a video was leaked showing Katlego Maboe seemingly admitting to cheating on his partner. We have been informed that a legal process relating to the allegations is currently sub-judice."

"We condemn any acts of violence and mistreatment, especially against women and children, and therefore take such allegations very seriously. Until such time as the matter has been fully investigated, and pending the outcome, Katlego Maboe will not be appearing on The Expresso Morning Show."

ALSO READ: Katlego Maboe arrested.

ALSO READ: SABC3's Expresso presenter and Outsurance star Katlego Maboe admits to cheating on partner who allegedly got a sexually-transmitted disease: 'I was unfaithful.'

ALSO READ: Monique Muller does sit-down interview over Katlego Maboe: 'When the first physical attack happened I got a protection order against him'.

ALSO READ: Insider says SABC3's cheater Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe is not the man he appears to be on TV, allegedly kissed Lay's Chips competition winner in Ukraine that led to hotel sex.

TV presenter Katlego Maboe summoned to appear in court this coming week on harassment charges after allegedly violating the protection order for Monique Muller.

The disgraced Expresso TV presenter Katlego Maboe will have to appear in court this week on charges of harassment of Monique Muller, after he allegedly violated the court's protection order not to stay away from his former lover who is the mother of his 2-year old son.

In South Africa, a protection order aims at preventing the reoccurrence of alleged domestic violence or sexual harassment by stating what conduct the alleged offender must refrain from doing.

The Rapport newspaper on Sunday reported Sunday that Katlego Maboe allegedly broke the stipulations of the protection order that Monique Muller obtained on 3 September in Seapoint, Cape Town. He will now have to appear in court on Tuesday.

The newspaper quotes Eric Ntabazalila, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape, who confirmed that Katlego Maboe, as well as Monique Muller, will have to be in court on this coming Tuesday 3 November.

The growing scandal surrounding the TV personality follows after a video on social media last week that has gone viral in which Katlego Maboe is confronted by Monique Muller over his infidelity. 

In the video, Katlego, dressed in a gown, sheepishly admits to having cheated on her with another woman identified as Nikkita Murray who has since locked her social media accounts.

In the video, Monique Muller accuses Katlego Maboe of giving her an STD that damaged her womb, and in another video she claims that Katlego Maboe allegedly physically abused her as well, saying that "When the first physical attack happened I got a protection order against him".

Katlego Maboe has since abruptly disappeared from the public eye, only releasing a terse statement, saying that "I was unfaithful to my partner during a very important time of our lives - an act I regret to this day. We are currently undergoing an unfortunate and painful separation which is being resolved through legal proceedings".

"In light of the comments made against me, I would like to state that I have never abused my partner," Katlego Maboe said.

To try and limit brand damage Cardova Productions this past week has taken Katlego Maboe off the air from its weekday breakfast show Expresso on SABC3 that is produced from its studio in Tokai.

Expresso publicist El Broide said in a statement that the SABC3 show "condemns any acts of violence and mistreatment, especially against women and children, and therefore take such allegations very seriously".

"Until such time as the matter has been fully investigated, and pending the outcome, Katlego Maboe will not be appearing on Expresso".

The insurance company Outsurance rushed to re-edit and scrub all traces of him from all of the insurance company's "Chencha dai deng" TV commercials, now only showing testimonials of customers without Katlego interviewing them.

In new revelations in the latest 5 November issue of YOU and Huisgenoot magazines, a close confidant of Monique Muller reveals that Katlego Maboe is allegedly not the man that viewers see on TV.

In July this year, Monique discovered that Katlego Maboe allegedly gave her an STD. 

Katlego Maboe apparently travelled to Kiev, Ukraine to watch a soccer match while he was a brand ambassador for Lay's Chips where he later admitted to Monique that he kissed one of the women who won the competition on a dancefloor. He later allegedly had sex with this woman in a hotel room.

YOU and Huisgenoot obtained another video in which Katlego Maboe tells Monique that his shameful behaviour is because he thought that being on TV enabled him to engage in this type of behaviour and that he feels terrible about it.

In the video, Katlego Maboe says that when he's on people's TV screens he is forced to smile and look cheerful because it's his work - but that when he's off-camera he doesn't have to keep up a happy and friendly persona.

Interestingly, a week later GoBinge has not yet published the sit-down interview that the YouTube channel did and teased with Monique Muller since last weekend, in which she talks about how Katlego Maboe had allegedly physically attacked her and how he cheated on her.

ALSO READ: SABC3's Expresso presenter and Outsurance star Katlego Maboe admits to cheating on partner who allegedly got a sexually-transmitted disease: 'I was unfaithful.'  

ALSO READ: Insider says SABC3's cheater Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe is not the man he appears to be on TV, allegedly kissed Lay's Chips competition winner in Ukraine that led to hotel sex.

Insider says SABC3's cheater Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe is not the man he appears to be on TV, allegedly kissed Lay's Chips competition winner in Ukraine that led to hotel sex.

In new revelations a close confidant of Monique Muller says that away from the cheerful morning TV persona that Katlego Maboe presents to the world, there is a whole other side to the man who cheated on the mother of his child and who allegedly gave her a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) last year after he returned from a trip to the Ukraine that was sponsored by Lay's Chips.

To try and limit brand damage Cardova Productions has taken Katlego Maboe off the air from its weekday breakfast show Expresso on SABC3 this past week while Outsurance rushed to re-edit and scrub all traces of him from all of the insurer's TV commercials.

It follows after the shocking fallout from the video on social media that has gone viral, in which Katlego Maboe is confronted by his former lover and mother of his 2-year old son, Monique Muller. 

In the video, Katlego, dressed in a gown, sheepishly admits to having cheated on her with another woman identified as Nikkita Murray who has since locked her social media accounts.

In the video, Monique Muller accuses Katlego Maboe of giving her an STD that damaged her womb, and in another video she claims that Katlego Maboe allegedly physically abused her as well, saying that "When the first physical attack happened I got a protection order against him".

Katlego Maboe has since abruptly disappeared from the public eye, only releasing a terse statement, saying that "I was unfaithful to my partner during a very important time of our lives - an act I regret to this day. We are currently undergoing an unfortunate and painful separation which is being resolved through legal proceedings".

"In light of the comments made against me, I would like to state that I have never abused my partner," Katlego Maboe said.

Monique Muller got a protection order preventing Katlego Maboe from setting foot in the Seapoint flat in Cape Town that they used to share.

In new revelations in the latest 5 November issue of YOU and Huisgenoot magazines, a close confidant of Monique Muller reveals that Katlego Maboe is not the man that viewers see on TV.

In July this year, Monique discovered that Katlego Maboe allegedly gave her an STD. 

Katlego Maboe apparently travelled to Kiev, Ukraine to watch a soccer match while he was a brand ambassador for Lay's Chips where he later admitted to Monique that he kissed one of the women who won the competition on a dancefloor. 

He later allegedly had sex with this woman in a hotel room.

YOU and Huisgenoot obtained another video in which Katlego Maboe tells Monique that his shameful behaviour is because he thought that being on TV enabled him to engage in this type of behaviour and that he feels terrible about it.

In the video, Katlego Maboe says that when he's on people's TV screens he is forced to smile and look cheerful because it's his work - but that when he's off-camera he doesn't have to keep up a happy and friendly persona.

Following his cheating scandal that has damaged his public reputation and trust, Outsurance has rushed to edited Katlego Maboe out of its "Chencha dai deng" TV adverts, now only showing testimonials of customers without Katlego interviewing them.

Expresso publicist El Broide said in a statement that the SABC3 show "condemns any acts of violence and mistreatment, especially against women and children, and therefore take such allegations very seriously".

"Until such time as the matter has been fully investigated, and pending the outcome, Katlego Maboe will not be appearing on Expresso".

Interestingly, a week later GoBinge has not yet published the sit-down interview that the YouTube channel did and teased with Monique Muller since last weekend in which she talks about how Katlego Maboe had allegedly physically attacked her and how the TV presenter cheater on her.

ALSO READ: SABC3's Expresso presenter and Outsurance star Katlego Maboe admits to cheating on partner who allegedly got a sexually-transmitted disease: 'I was unfaithful.'

After Leigh-Anne Williams leaves her daily Expresso post Cardova says the presenter will be back as the production company is 'keen to pursue new and existing shows and roles with her in 2020'.

by Thinus Ferreira

After Leigh-Anne Williams quietly left her early morning perch as one of SABC3's Expresso presenters some week ago, the Cape Town based production company behind the show says that she will be back in December although it's not clear whether it would again be in a daily role or in what capacity.

On Tuesday TVwithThinus reported that Leigh-Anne Williams quietly exited SABC3's weekday morning show with her name that was removed from the end-credits roll of Expresso.

Prior to Tuesday's reporting, multiple media enquiries were made over weeks with neither SABC3 nor Cardova Productions that responded to questions around Leigh-Anne Williams' exit and sudden absence from the show.

Leigh-Anne Williams' unexplained exit at the beginning of November came after Ewan Strydom left in April for Bravo! on kykNET (DStv 144), followed by Zoë Brown, who was not an original presenter, who left Expresso in July after 4 years without an on-air farewell or explanation.

Expresso added Jamie-Lee Domburg from Plumstead and Kuhle Adams as the show's two new presenters after they won the Presenter Search on 3: The Expresso Edition at the end of October and which made use of Leigh-Anne Williams as the presenter of that prime time reality search programme.

Expresso, which made its debut in October 2010 and was produced from The Equinox Building in Sea Point, Cape Town as SABC3's breakfast show, moved to a new studio complex in Westlake in June.

It's much further away that the picturesque highrise the show had been done from for almost nine years before the move. According to insiders both Zoë Brown and Leigh-Anne Williams had issues with the move with the longer daily travel distance that was problematic and contributed to their decisions to leave.

On Friday morning producer Patience Stevens from Cardova Productions in a statement through SABC3 said that although Leigh-Anne Williams stepped away from her daily Expresso presenting work that Cardova will continue to work with her in the future and in 2020 in existing and new shows.

"Leigh-Anne has been a very important part of the Expresso journey for the past eight years and is a valued member of the Cardova family," said Patience Stevens.

"While Leigh-Anne has been taking a step back from her daily presenting role on Expresso to pursue other career opportunities, this does not mean the end of our relationship with her. Leigh Anne will be back on Expresso in December, and we are keen to pursue new and existing shows and roles with her in 2020."

"While we have missed Leigh-Anne's positive energy every morning for the past couple of weeks, Cardova’s mission statement is to identify, nurture and grow new talent."

"We have recently welcomed two fresh new faces to Expresso, namely the winners of the Presenter Search on 3: Expresso Edition, Kuhle Adams and Jamie-Lee Domburg, who have been adding their own unique dynamic and personality to the show."

"Expresso is a brand which always evolving. We have grown new talent like Leigh-Anne Williams and Zoë Brown over the years and we hope to continue doing so for years to come."

Leigh-Anne Williams quietly gone as presenter from Expresso on SABC3 after 9 years.

Leigh-Anne Williams has quietly gone from Expresso on SABC3 after 9 years as the next longrunning presenter who exited after she had to audition and announce her replacements on-air in a TV presenter search at the end of October.

Neither SABC3 nor Cardova Productions, that produces Expresso, responded with answers to media enquiries made the past few weeks about Leigh-Anne Williams' exit and Williams didn't reply to email.

The exit of Leigh-Anne Williams without any on-air farewell and who's name has quietly been removed from the end-credits roll of Expresso leaves Katlego Maboe as the last remaining original Expresso presenter on the 9-year old show after Ewan Strydom left in April for Bravo! on kykNET (DStv 144).

Zoë Brown, who was not an original presenter, left Expresso in July after 4 years without an on-air farewell or explanation.

Expresso added Jamie-Lee Domburg from Plumstead and Kuhle Adams as the show's two new presenters after they won the Presenter Search on 3: The Expresso Edition at the end of October and which made use of Leigh-Anne Williams as the presenter of that prime time reality search programme.

Expresso, which made its debut in October 2010 and was produced from The Equinox Building in Sea Point, Cape Town as SABC3's breakfast show, moved to a new studio complex in Westlake in June.

It's much further away that the picturesque highrise the show had been done from for almost nine years before the move. According to insiders both Zoë Brown and Leigh-Anne Williams had issues with the move with the longer daily travel distance that was problematic and contributed to their decisions to leave.

SABC3 and Expresso have ignored questions from viewers asking about Leigh-Anne Williams' absence and exit.

Where is @LeighAnne_Will 🤔 why dont I see her on @expressoshow anymore☹..... pic.twitter.com/m6nvrMAm4i

— The Real Puff Daddy (@PuffDad42136460) November 21, 2019

@expressoshow Good morning team, where in the name of sanity is @LeighAnne_Will. The transition is not working for me.

— Comrade007 (@Comrade0072) November 11, 2019

Where are you @LeighAnne_Will i miss you on @expressoshow...

— danian timm (@ddt_golf25) November 7, 2019

@expressoshow bring back @LeighAnne_Will and @zbzoebrown please ☺️

— Makes (@Makes_Who_Else) November 7, 2019

Plumstead single mom Jamie-Lee Domburg and Kuhle Adams win SABC3's Expresso presenter search.

SABC3's weekday morning show Expresso will add Jamie-Lee Domburg and Kuhle Adams as the show's two new presenters after they won the Presenter Search on 3: The Expresso Edition on Wednesday night.

Jamie-Lee Domburg, a single mom from Plumstead, and Kuhle Adams from Port Elizabeth who now lives in Johannesburg, will replace Ewan Strydom and Zoe Brown who exited the morning programme earlier this year.

The winners who took part in the latest edition of the Presenter Search on 3 talent reality show were announced in the final episode at Cape Town's Mount Nelson hotel last night.

Both will start on Expresso, produced by Cardova Productions, on Monday 4 November.

"We've been warned about the hard work that is ahead, about the early mornings and the late nights but we are so ready," says Kuhle who will have to move from Johannesburg to Tokai in Cape Town where the Expresso studios are now located.

"This is not television – this is dreams come true," says Jamie-Lee.

For their final challenge, the remaining four finalists - Nathaneal Davids, Jamie-Lee, Deen Woodman and Kuhle - had to conduct an interview with a high-profile guest in the Expresso studio.

"All four of them are so talented – they all have the potential to do the job – and after spending so much time watching them grow, and take notes, and improve from one episode to the next, it was really hard to have to make that final choice," said Presenter Search on 3 judge Thando Thabethe.

In the end the judges were unanimous in their final decision. "It was a really tough call, but I feel confident that we made the right decision here tonight," said judge Roger Goode.

Patience Stevens, executive producer, said "Congratulations to Kuhle and Jamie – I am extremely excited to welcome them on to Expresso and can’t wait to see them develop as they grow in confidence and experience".

"But I know that we have not seen the last of Deen and Nathaneal either and look forward to seeing how they take the exposure they had with this show and make that work for them in their future careers."

Clover and Cardova team for a 9th season of Tropika Island of Treasure on SABC3 in 2019, set in Curaçao.

Clover will do a 9th season of its Tropika Island of Treasure advertiser-funded programme (AFP), produced by Cardova Productions, for SABC3, in 2019, this time using the Dutch-Caribbean island of Curaçao as backdrop for its multi-ep marketing reality show.

The 8th season of Tropika Island of Treasure Maldives was broadcast from February 2018 on SABC3, with no broadcast date yet known for Tropika Island of Treasure Curaçao.

Tropika Island of Treasure Curaçao will include Simphiwe Ngema, Kay Sibiya, Nadia Japhta, Siphesihle Vazi, Ntando Duma and Bouwer Bosch, as well as 6 viewers who will once again have to pay to enter by first buying Tropika.

"We’ve got an amazing group of celebrities who’ll join us for the ride on an entirely new Caribbean island, with a whole new set of challenges and fun.," says Barbara George, Tropika brand manager.