ANN7 abruptly cancels its South African of the Year Awards for 2016 two weeks before the time, suddenly citing unexplained 'unforeseen regulatory circumstances'.

The Gupta-owned TV news channel ANN7 (DStv 405) has abruptly cancelled its South African of the Year Awards 2016 event after viewers already voted and two weeks before it was set to take place on 25 November, suddenly citing vague "unforeseen regulatory circumstances".

It's unclear what "unforeseen regulatory circumstances" could lead to a TV awards show being scuppered, especially the ANN7 one that's taken place and been broadcast on the channel twice before.

ANN7 that didn't issue a press statement to TVwithThinus about the SATY 2016 cancellation for the year, ran an announcement in sister newspaper The New Age and an on-screen notification on the channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform that the awards show and concert for 2016 is suddenly off.

"The postponement is due to unforeseen regulatory circumstances that have materially impacted on logistics for the event. Regretfully this has left us with no choice but to seek a new date in the near future. We look forward to confirming a rescheduled date," said ANN7, noting that "a new date will be announced in due course".

The sudden South African of the Year Awards 2016 cancellation is the latest embarrassing turn in the history of the ANN7 awards show where ANN7 already announced that American singers Jennifer Lopez and Robin Thicke would perform this year.

ANN7 also said that the SABC3 Top Billing presenters' trio of Bonang Matheba, Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Jeannie D would have been the main hosts at the Ticketpro Dome event on 25 November for which tickets were sold.

Maps Maponyane and Hulisani Ravele have been presenting a South African of the Year Awards 2016 profile show on ANN7 showcasing the various nominees.

On 4 November ANN7 and The New Age suddenly and quietly removed the name of the controversial Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe and friend of the Guptas, from the voting list in the category for South African of the Year without any explanation.

ANN7 didn't respond to media enquiries about the cancellation for 2016 of the South African of the Year Awards.

ANN7 was asked what the "unforeseen regulatory circumstances" that caused the sudden cancellation and why it would cause an award show to be cancelled that's been held twice before.

ANN7 was asked why Brian Molefe was suddenly removed as a candidate in the flagship categories for the #SATY2016 and what will be happening to the votes and the money that the South African public had already made and spent since SMS voting cost R1.50 each.

ANN7's South African of the Year Awards has been mired in scandal. Last year after announcing Christina Aguilera as the headline act, she suddenly backed out and cancelled, leaving Infinity Media Networks red-faced who replaced her with Jason Derulo.

Last year's SATY Awards was suddenly changed from a concert with ticket sales to an "invitation only" closed event with other media locked out.

Jason Derulo in turn embarrassed ANN7 and the SATY's and caused massive backlash after insulting South Africans during his performance when not enough stood up when he called and he said "Y'all speak English, right?"

Bonang Matheba, Jeannie D and Bonnie Mbuli to try and boost SABC3 afternoon ratings with new local weekday TV talker, Afternoon Express.

SABC3 is replacing Three Talk with Noeleen from Monday, 4 May at 16:00 with a new female-centric local talk show in the vein of The Talk and The View, with presenters Bonang Matheba and Jeannie D turning talk show hosts, hoping to bolster the channel's sagging afternoon ratings.

Afternoon Express will take over the 16:00 timeslot on SABC3 from Monday on weekdays, with Bonang Matheba - known as "Queen B" - and Jeannie D, both known as Top Billing presenters, as well as Bonnie Mbuli from e.tv's Traffic who will present the show as a live broadcast.

A 4th woman will join the existing three as a newbie on Afternoon Express within a month when the top 3 winners are announced from the Presenter Search on 3 reality show on SABC3, with the two others going to Top Billing and Expresso respectively.

Afternoon Express, produced by Tswelopele Productions which is also responsible for Top Billing, Presenter Search on 3 and other TV shows, will try to lift SABC3's viewership in the dull afternoon daypart similar to the ratings rejuvenation the morning breakfast show Expresso, also produced by the same company, brought to SABC3's early morning timeslot where viewership lagged.

With the added heavy lifting of the new weekday interactive afternoon talk show done from Cape Town, Bonang Matheba and Jeannie D will be featuring somewhat less on Top Billing in the future.

Afternoon Express, which will have a big social media interactive component in a sense similar to SABC2's afternoon youth block Hectic Nine-9, will cover female interests ranging from cooking and fashion to finance tips and inspirational stories and interviews. The show will also feature live musical performances similar to Expresso in the mornings.

"Afternoon Express is a first for South Africa and for SABC3," says Aisha Mohamed, SABC3 channel head. "To combine fun interaction, practical advice as well as engaging conversation into one show is definitely taking the quality of programming to the next level and we are proud to have this kind of uplifting and empowering content for women as part of our offering".

"The show will give women an opportunity to interact and engage daily," says Bradley van den Berg, Afternoon Express' executive producer, saying the talk show will inspire viewers "to take the courage to try something new and become their best selves".

"I am really excited to be stepping into a new terrain with SABC3 and the opportunity to co-host with Jeannie D and Bonnie," says Bonang Matheba.

"I'm very excited to be part of this experience and to be doing a new show with my Top Billing family," says Jeannie D. "This is a winning formula that keeps growing and growing."

"I'm so thrilled to be one of the hosts; it is a great concept and there is so much to look forward to," says Bonnie Mbuli. "I don't think there has ever been a more exciting time for television in South Africa - I can't wait".

"We hope that making a date with Afternoon Express will be making an appointment to have fun," says Patience Stevens, the managing director of Tswelopele Productions.

"We have three of the country's most talented presenters, we are very excited to have this opportunity and we are looking forward to this challenge".

Memorial service for Simba Mhere this Thursday, funeral Sunday; Top Billing presenters 'beyond broken' after his death.

A memorial service will be held this week for Simba Mhere, the Top Billing presenter who was killed in a car crash on Saturday morning as his co-presenters on the popular lifestyle show expressed that they're "beyond broken" after his unexpected death this weekend.

Top Billing has also pushed out its already produced episode for this coming Thursday evening on SABC3 and behind the scenes producers at Tswelopele Productions are now working on a new special tribute episode dedicated to Simba Mhere in honour of the presenter "as a final goodbye".

Simba Mhere, who would have been a co-presenter with Top Billing presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee on the upcoming Presenter Search on 3 looking for three new TV presenters, died when the driver of a VW Polo crashed into the Mitshubishi Simba Mhere was driving in Johannesburg on William Nicol Road near the N1 onramp early Saturday morning.

The driver of the VW Polo was not tested for alcohol and will be charged with reckless and negligent driving and two counts of culpable homicide. Simba Mhere's father who was also in the car survived is now recovering at home.

Edna Mamonyane, Johannesburg Metro police spokesperson said on Monday morning that "this guy [the VW Polo driver] crossed over the middle island and then hit Simba's car from the side." The impact killed Simba who was the driver and the person sitting behind him. 

A memorial service for Simba Mhere will be held this Thursday, 5 February, at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg from 15:00 to 17:00.

Simba Mhere's funeral will take place on Saturday, 7 February at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg at 09:00, and he will be laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery in Roosevelt Park.

Meanwhile tributes continue to pour in for Simba Mhere with Jonathan Boynton-Lee saying "Can't believe my brother is gone".

Top Billing presenter Jeannie D said "we are beyond broken and sad. Simba who we loved so much! Words fail us at this time but we just pray for his family and friends".

Lorna Lukhele said "words cannot express how shocked I am. Such a sad day to have lost one of the most amazing guys in the industry. At the brink of his career, not even 30. Gone too soon."

Basetsana Kumalo, the executive producer of Top Billing said "As a Top Billing family we're very, very devastated about the passing of Simba. He was an incredible human being, a gentle soul. He was fun and loving, a true hard-working individual, he was always just a delight and a pleasure to be with".

Aisha Mohamed, SABC3 channel head said Simba Mhere "was so real, so humble". "People really felt a connection with him. Always a big smile. Always a big hug. He had a warmness and a presence about him that you will never forget and it resonated on screen but he was also just as real in person".

"For me its just so heartbreaking to think he was on such a rise, and he's gone so soon. He had so much more to give," said Aisha Mohamed. 

Both of the SABC's two breakfast shows on Monday morning which are produced live, Morning Live on SABC2 and Expresso on SABC3 - which is also produced by Tswelopele Productions - reflected on Simba Mhere's passing and had tributes.

"People fell in love with Simba. He just had such a charismatic, real openness about him," said Expresso presenter Leigh-Anne Williams, close to tears, on Monday morning.

"There's a reason why he was voted among South Africa's best and most popular TV presenters," said Expresso presenter Katlegoe Maboe.

"It's been a sad weekend and we send our condolences out to the family and colleagues of the late Simba Mhere," said Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas on SABC2 Monday morning. "Simba was only 26 years old - his whole life ahead of him. It really is a devastating story."

BREAKING. Bonang Matheba, Jeannie D, Phat Joe the judges of new Presenter Search on 3 on SABC3 as entries officially open.

Bonang Matheba, Jeannie D and Phat Joe will be the judges of the brand-new Presenter Search on 3 looking for three new TV presenters for Top Billing, Expresso and an as yet unannounced new magazine show on SABC3.

TV with Thinus broke the news about the new show and upcoming competition earlier this month, and now entries have officially opened looking to find new stars to follow in the footsteps of previous - and since very successful - winners Simba Mhere and Jonathan Boynton-Lee.

I can reveal that Presenter Search on 3 will start as its own, stand-alone new series on SABC3 and will debut on 6 March on the channel as 13 one hour episodes on Friday nights at 19:30, exactly halfway through the nationwide audition process which will then have been filmed by that time.

It will be the third season of the highly successful reality competition which previously saw thousands of people queue for a chance to on, and become a part of the lifestyle TV production machine.

The Presenter Search on 3, produced by Tswelopele Productions, will be looking for a glamorous presenter to jetset the world, interview celebrities and bedazzle while walking and talking through magnificent mansions on SABC3's flagship show Top Billing.

Then there's also space for an upbeat presenter who can cope with the stress of live morning television and still smile and exude confidence on Expresso, as well as a lifestyle TV presenter for a weekly recorded new magazine show which will start later this year on SABC3.

Contestants will face physical challenges, tests of improvisation and intelligence,all while having to keep an eye on the sun, their mic's battery levels, and oozing high levels of charisma while juggling multiple voices and remembering links exactly the way the director wants them.

Anyone over 18 can enter and over February and March the thousands of hopefuls will be whittled down to a top 12, then a top 10 as they live together and face the various easy looking, yet difficult TV world challenges.

Auditions kick off in Cape Town on 13 and 14 February, Port Elizabeth on 22 February, Durban on 28 February and 1 March and Johannesburg on 6, 7, and 8 March.

Contestants have to take a photo, complete the entry form and dress up to impress and prepare a short speech or link - something to say or introduce themselves or a story, as they would if they're a TV presenter. The judges are looking for creative and original presentations.

Audition dates
Cape Town 13, 14 Feb
Cape Town stadium - main entrance 9:00
callbacks: 16 Feb

Port Elizabeth 22 Feb
Nelson Mandela Bay stadium 9:00
callbacks: 23 Feb

Durban 28 Feb, 1 March
Venue to be announced 9:00
callbacks: 2 March

Johannesburg 6, 7, 8 March
Venue to be announced 9:00
callbacks: 11 March

TV production travelling and packing for Top Travel and Top Billing not so glamorous at all, presenter Jeannie D explains.

The post-edit glamarama look is sumptuous glamour television personified, but the constant behind-the-scenes travel drama on South African shows with a heavy international showcasing element such as Top Billing and Top Travel is anything but.

The never-ending travel arrangements, travelling, packing, and lugging around of suitcases for short periods of times between international airports, connecting flights and cities all over the world is anything but glamorous for the production crews and presenters of shows such as Top Travel and Top Billing on SABC3.

Top Travel presenter Jeannie D said on Wednesday evening's Top Travel episode what viewers already know, that "Top Billing and Top Travel always look incredibly glamorous. In reality we travel with quite a hefty team of four people. Our luggage is a monstrosity."

"Twelve pieces of luggage. That's a lot. That's the reality. That's how we actually travel from place to place," said Janez Vermeiren.

"It really isn't easy to travel, not at the best of times. But to travel as a production team is very, very difficult," he said.

ALSO READ: Just get married already already - Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D: South African television's most lovey-dovey on-screen couple.

JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY. Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D - South African television's most lovey-dovey on-screen couple.

They're not married (yet) (or to each other) - but they probably should be: the Top Billing and Top Travel presenters Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D  on SABC3.

The two jetsetting telenalities are not romantically linked (despite ongoing rumours over years) but they take every opportunity to smooch it up and hug it out with longing romantic looks and gazes when the cameras are rolling.

All the soft touches, the playful interactions, the canoodling, they eye-to-eye contact which makes them break out in smiles - yes ... it's nothing but true love, baby.

There's a certain way that happy people, romantically in love with each other, walking along the beach at sunset, look at each other - and any behavioural psychologist will instantly show you that Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D are looking at each other in that way.

All these glances, longing, loving looks and kissing are from just one Top Travel episode on Wednesday evening on SABC3.

ALSO READ: Production travelling and packing for Top Travel and Top Billing not so glamorous at all, presenter Jeannie D explains.

Top Travel on SABC3 back in production with Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D for another new season of the global travelogue show.

Top Travel, the global travelogue show from Tswelopele Productions, is back in production for another new season with Top Billing presenters Jeannie D and Janez Vermeiren, I can now confirm.

I was slipped gossip two month ago from sources that Top Travel will return for a new season but SABC3 and everybody else was tight-lipped as the arduous visa applications, shooting logistics and the most arduous task of all - packing those overnights - once again geared up.

Top Travel which sees the presenters visit exotic locales across the glove has had two seasons on SABC3 so far in 2008 and 2009; the show was also sold and shown to the Travel Channel on DStv.

Top Billing presenters Janez and Jeannie D go shirtless (we'll sortof) as they bare their bods in support of the Boks.

SABC3's Top Billing presenters Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D have both gone shirtless (sortof): Janez Vermeiren hardly ever wears a shirt so he's already been shirtless, and Jeannie D covers the D's with a bikini top.

Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D are two of the local South African telenalities tossing the tops in a new marketing campaign awaiting the reveal on 12 April of the new Sprinbok jersey.

The two well-known television faces are part of the group "pledging" to go shirtless on so-called "Bokdays" until the new rugby jersey is revealed.

The half-naked Top Billing duo - often mocked for supposedly being a "real-life" romantic couple (although they're not) - did a little self-referential video in which they joke about the amount of skin often on display in their weekly glamarama lifestyle show.

A bare-chested Janez Vermeiren and a bikini clad Jeannie D are sitting on a couch doing a piece to camera in support of the Boks.

"In support of the boys in green and gold, we pledge to go shirtless on Bokdays until we get our new jersey," says Janez Vermeiren.

"But Janez ... you go shirtless most days," says a mockingly perplexed Jeannie D.

South Africans are now asked to go "tastefully" shirtless on Bokdays "in a place where being shirtless is unexpected".

PICTORIAL. The My Top Billing Dream reality show on SABC3 has a fashion show challenge.

The My Top Billing Dream reality show Tuesdays at 20:00 on SABC3 had a fashion show challenge which took place this evening at Canal Walk in Cape Town. With 8 contestants left (but one on a secret assignment after she won, leaving  for this challenge) the episode will be broadcast on 31 July.

The charming Top Billing presenter Jeannie D, also a judge on My Top Billing Dream looked stunning and dazzled the crowd with her MC'ing skills, even making a thinly-veiled reference to her called off engagement, saying "everyone knows when you work for Top Billing your work is your marriage".

She even joked by walking over and blatantly grabbing contestant Jonathan Boynton-Lee's pecs who wore an open cut T-shirt, saying "Jonathan, on this show everyone knows I'm the one who has and shows off the cleavage!"

The remaining contestants in the reality show looking for a new presenter, as well as models, modelled everything from casual wear, evening wear and swimwear on the red carpet as opera singer constestant Linelle sang; Good Luck provided techno-disco infused music; and the gumboot dancing troupe Happy Feet made a surprise appearance. 

The Top Billing presenters Jo-Ann Strauss and Lorna Maseko were terrific. The duo's constant delightful and really funny banter was wonderful to witness - well-experienced public speakers who know exactly how to move a show along, keep the audience focused, and make hard work look like play.

At one point all three were on the stage together holding handheld microphones. During feedback due to monitors and with Jeannie D flanked by Jo-Ann Strauss and Lorna Maseko on either side she instantly retorted to a laughing crowd: "As you can see we can't really stand too close to each other - it's not the microphones, its the ego's!"

Most heartfelt moment was when an audience member asked Zama Ncgobo a question on who inspires her. "I'm just standing here. I'm just dreaming. I was actually an orphan for a large part of my life. I was raised an orphan. I try to live an inspiring life and to keep on dreaming. I'm my biggest fan and motivator. I had to motivate myself. You can do anything if you believe in yourself."

Jeannie D of Top Billing no longer getting married to Jon Firth; engagement called off and ended reports The Close Up.

''One thing that has taken a turn for the worse in Jeannie D's life is her longterm relationship with the UK born model turned businessman, Jon Firth," reported Nicky Greenwall in The Close Up on e.tv.

This week's episode of the second season of The Close Up featured an intimate portrait of the Top Billing presenter. In the half hour profile piece it was revealed that Jeannie D is no longer engaged to Jon Firth. The couple got engaged in March 2011 and was together for four years.

"People always said to me, "Oh, when you meet the right one, you'll know," said Jeannie D. "That ... it's not that simple. You don't. It is difficult to have a relationship in the public eye."

"I'd much rather my work and the things that I do on TV for a living be highlighted in the media, than my private life," said Jeannie D. ''You know, I remember once, Jon said to me: 'You've chosen to be part of this circus, I didn't."

About her Top Billing job she says "I really like what I do now. Every day is completely different."

"I do go overseas all the time; I do stay in the best hotels; i do have that amazing life," she said, "but if you're living it all the time and your part of that grind, it's maybe not all its cut out to be. You miss out on birthdays, you miss out on family moments. You miss out on a regular life because you're always here; there; everywhere ..."

About her dad Jeannie D revealed that he always says "Are you happy with what you're doing? Are you going to be on TV forever? What are you going to do when you don't want to be on TV anymore? I think its because he wants me to have security. And I mean, he couldn't be prouder."

Top Travel with presenters Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D will be back for a 3rd season.

Top Travel will be back for a 3rd season. The travelogue magazine show produced by Tswelopele Productions will record a 3rd season with presenters Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D.

Top Travel is a hit on SABC3 but has also been sold on the international market and is shown on channels like the Travel Channel (DStv 181).

EXCLUSIVE. Top Billing's Jeannie D reveal the inside secrets of her Ugly Betty set visit.

You're reading it here first.

I spoke to Top Billing's wonderful presenter Jeannie D to find out all the secrets about her recent Ugly Betty set visit to New York.

Ugly Betty is currently on SABC3 and M-Net and I wanted to get the super secrets and all the gossip straight from her on how it was. I wanted to hear what she really thought of the Ugly Betty cast that she interviewed like Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina and Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade.

Jeannie dishes about the clothes, the set, the actors, and what - and who - she really, really liked!

For more screenshots and Jeannie D's revealing Ugly Betty set visit interview, click on READ MORE below.

FIRST LOOK! Jeanne D and Janez Vermeiren in Top Billing Singapore photo shoot.

You're seeing it here first.

I can exclusively first reveal to you these super secret photos of Top Billing presenters Janez Vermeiren and Jeannie D on a fashion photo shoot in Singapore.

This photo shoot is set to feature in the April issue of the Top Billing magazine, as well as a TV insert on Thursday, 4 March at 19:30 in Top Billing on SABC3.

For a few more AWESOME and exclusively photos I can show you first, click on READ MORE below!