SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 is back; announces nationwide audition dates in the search of wannabe TV presenters for SABC3 shows.

SABC3's popular Presenter Search on 3 show is back for a 4th time, looking for men and women across the country who have the charisma, looks and telegenic smile to become TV presenters on SABC3 shows ranging from Top Billing and Expresso to Afternoon Express.

The Presenter Search on 3 is produced by Cardova Productions, with the search for a presenter or presenters to join various SABC3 shows that is taking place to co-incide with the 25th anniversary of Top Billing that started on the SABC in 1992.

Nationwide auditions will again be held soon - and filmed - for the Presenter Search on 3 that will start broadcasting on SABC3 on Thursday 10 May at 19:30.

People who think they have what it takes - bod, brains, and being able to walk and talk while not making it look as if you're reciting lines but really having a conversation with viewers - don't have to do anything but just pitch up at the audition venues on the right date and fill out an entry form.

SABC3 says the channel is not just looking for a presenter for a TV show - "we are looking for brand ambassadors that embody the spirit of SABC3 as a channel that shines the spotlight on our progress and aspirations".

Here is the type of person that SABC3 and the Presenter Search on 3 is looking for: "Life in the spotlight will not only be filled with glamour, travel, the potential winners need to reflect the dynamic spirit of SA with a go-getter attitude that makes them own any room they walk into. They should be unapologetic about who they are, proud of their background and be able to represent South Africa on any stage be it local, regional or international."

While it looks glamorous, the competition is looking for people who are serious about being and becoming TV presenters and who have an understanding of the hard work it requires behind the scenes, that you need to be a team player, work long hours and still be able to smile at the end of a long day even if things went wrong but the camera man needs you to deliver lines faultlessly in the last few minutes of natural sunlight left.

Auditions for the Presenter Search on 3 will be taking place in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Dress the part. Remember what Coco Chanel said: "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman".

Here's the audition dates for the Presenter Search on 3:
- Port Elizabeth, Sunday 25 March, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
- Cape Town, Saturday 7 April, Sunday 8 April, venue still to be confirmed
- Durban, Saturday 14 April, Sunday 15 April, Durban Exhibition Centre
- Johannesburg, Friday 20 April, Sunday 22 April, Wanderers Cricket Stadium

The presenter search has previously made stars and given new TV presenting opportunities to Simba Mhere, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Zoe Brown, Danilo Acquisto and Jade Hubner, as well as Chris Jaftha and Mishka Patel.

More information will be available at www.presentersearchon3.com

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.

From Dubai with a dream: Thousands queue for the Cape Town auditions of SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 - as someone even bought a one-way ticket and flew from Dubai.

Anita Buys living abroad with her family was so determined - with such conviction that she's the new TV presenter that SABC3 is looking for - that she booked a one-way ticket and flew all the way from Dubai to Cape Town to come and do an audition for the Presenter Search on 3.

Thousands of people from across South Africa patiently queued on both days of the past weekend at Newlands Rugby Stadium when SABC3's nationwide auditions, that kicked off in Port Elizabeth, did its second auditions session in Cape Town on Saturday and Sunday, before moving on to Durban this coming weekend.

On Saturday people queued from very early for the chance to be seen by the regional judges Spitch Nzawubmi, SABC3's acting brand manager Smangele Mauka and Expresso's Graeme Richards; and on the Sunday Sean-Marco Vorster, Tumi Voster and Khanya Siygeno.

The former winners Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Danilo Acquisto made an appearance alongside Expresso presenters Katlego Maboe and Leigh-Anne Williams.

After the huge response to the Port Elizabeth and Cape Town auditions, the nationwide search moves to Durban this coming weekend on 14 and 15 April at the Durban Exhibition Centre, and then on to Johannesburg on 20, 21 and 22 April at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium.

Khanyna Dumjana (20) from Kuilsriver who was first in the queue on Saturday at the Cape Town Presenter Search on 3 auditions told TVwithThinus that she was first because "I did not sleep. Really I didn't sleep. I made sure that I'm here very early, accompanied by my little sister as well. I got here at 2am."

As to why she decided to enter she said "For me TV was always a way to escape reality, and I can do that for someone else who's going through stuff".

Noah Mbongo (20) from Hermanus who woke up at 2am and got to the auditions at 3am, said "I've always had a passion for being on TV and hopefully this is my window".

Kobus Badenhorst (25) from Claremont who woke up at 4am said he decided to enter "because I've always liked to communicate with people and to find out their stories. I've always watched Expresso and Top Billing and it's always seemed to be the ideal platform to connect with people".

Nelisa Msila (21) living in Pretoria said "I've always had a thing for TV and presenting, and I love to talk so this chance combines all worlds into one." She woke up at 3:10am.

"The whole week I prepared to find the right words to put my personality into those 15 seconds you have to present yourself." She said she would love to be on Top Billing "but I wouldn't mind Expresso because I think any show would be a good fit for me".

Neo Mohapi originally from Welkom but now living in Cape Town said "growing up watching watching YO.TV, I've always fantasized being on TV and loved the presenters - they made it look so amazing even though you know that doing TV presenting isn't as glamorous as it looks."

"The Presenter Search on 3 is such a grand opportunity. I don't mind at all waiting in the queues because you never know what might happen and you just really never know where you might end up."

Neo said she would love to be a presenter on Top Billing. "I've always watched Top Billing. I grew up watching Top Billing and I believe in what it stands for, I believe in the best of the good life."

"Top Billing has always had me feeling that, you know, whatever you want to dream, or whatever you can think of, you can attain it. I've always loved how they show ordinary people just like us who've worked from nothing and then ending up being phenomenal people having great things in life."

From Dubai with a dream
Anita Buys who was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa and then moved to Dubai with her parents got on a plane with a one-way ticket and flew all the way from Dubai for the Presenter Search on 3 auditions in Cape Town.

"Three weeks before I saw the Presenter Search on 3 auditions coming up and I literally booked a one-way ticket to Cape Town. When you move abroad, you can never think that it's going to be permanent."

"My parents were shocked - I think speechless for a little while. They didn't really understand the whole process of me relocating or what I would be doing."

Anita says "it's a one-way ticket - so there is no return. Ha ha. But my plan is really to go all the way with SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 and to make it all the way to the top 3."

"I do see myself on Top Billing. I do see myself presenting first thing in the morning helping everyone wake up and get energised with Expresso. So that's the plan. If they literally need me to be here for a month, I will! Just quickly go home and pack a few boxes and come back and I'm ready."

Anita told TVwithThinus that "you don't even understand the preparation that went into this. I did so much research and preparation. I started 3 weeks ago and watched very single episode of the previous season of Presenter Search on 3 in 2015."

"I was looking out for who the judges are. When I walked in here I quickly looked around and I saw Graeme Richards from Expresso and I thought "Oh, cool, I know Graeme from seeing him. The preparation started early and it was quite intense."

"It felt like I was on a 2-week intensive course of just understanding the SABC3 brand and understanding the Tswelopele Productions team and the great relationship between Patience Stevens and Basetsana Kumalo and Top Billing celebrating 25 years on TV. It's awesome. These are milestones. I'm just so impressed by what they've managed to achieve and I would kill to be part of the SABC3 family."

Qieän Wang who lives in Newcastle and is South African Taiwanese, travelled all the way from KwaZulu-Natal to audition and said "she would love to be on Top Billing that is about sharing experiences and aspirations. That is what I believe in".

Qieän who woke up at 06:30 said "Asians have been living in South Africa for a long time and I do feel like we need a bigger presence on TV. We're part of South Africa too. I'm very proud to be South African. TV keeps growing and I would love to be a voice for the Asian community on TV."

The new season of Presenter Search on 3 starts on SABC3 on Thursday 10 May at 19:30.

ALSO READ: Presenter Search on 3 kicks off its nationwide audition in Port Elizabeth.

SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 winners are Zoe Brown, Danilo Acquisto and Jade Hubner; will join Expresso, Afternoon Express and Top Billing.

SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 reality competition show concluded Friday night naming the three Capetonians Zoe Brown, Danilo Acquisto and Jade Hubner as the winners getting dream TV presenting gigs.

Zoe Brown (25) will join breakfast show Expresso, Danilo Acquisto (24) is added to afternoon variety and talk show Afternoon Express, and Jade Hubner (23) is the latest addition to the weekly glamarama magazine show Top Billing.

The 13-part reality show seeking new on-air talent for the three SABC3 TV shows and which previously unearthed Simba Mhere and Jonathan Boynton-Lee, ended with the three telegenic winners being announced in Zanzibar at a pool-side ceremony.

Like the previous two presenter searches also produced by Tswelopele Productions, the third iteration once again saw thousands of hopefuls line up across South Africa for the chance to audition and show their TV presenting skills.


Part of the SABC that works
Even more than before, the Presenter Search on 3 managed to incredibly successfully and in a unique way for South African television, both showcase to great effect other SABC TV shows and personalities.

Presenter Search on 3 promoted other SABC shows incredibly well while giving viewers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of these productions ranging from shows like SABC2's Morning Live and Three Talk with Noeleen to SABC3's Expresso, Top Billing and Neill Anthony Private Chef.

While the reality show weekly kept whittling down the number of South Africans dreaming of stardom through becoming TV presenters, the Presenter Search on 3 also managed to show a not often seen and remarkable side of the local and vibrant TV production sector: the part of the SABC that actually works.

Viewers got a glimpse of the production companies and shows that are well-oiled machines, turning out thousands of minutes of TV airtime every year within the South African TV world, as well as another, almost "realer", side of well-known presenters like brilliant guest mentor Ursula Chikane who shined in her advice, hands-on approach and admonishment; and Leanne Manas revealing the secrets of success of doing early morning television.

Ordinary viewers who will never be on TV had the chance to see presenters like Ursula Chikane candidly give away secrets and coax contestants to be better on camera in various TV presenting challenges, making for fascinating Friday night viewing.


Fanning out across the SABC3 schedule
Although the original plan was to add another woman, Danilo Acquisto, the former Hectic Nine-9 presenter on SABC2, will now be added to Afternoon Express on SABC3 to try and boost the ratings of the weekday afternoon gaggle-fest with Bonang Matheba, Jeannie D and Bonnie Mbuli. The show debuted last month with flat viewership and a lukewarm reception from viewers and TV critics.

Zoe Brown with a degree in international relations from the University of Stellenbosch will join SABC3's perky live weekday breakfast show Expresso, while Jade Hubner will be doing recorded inserts for the style and lifestyle show Top Billing.

Besides the presenting work, the three get to each drive a Mercedes-Benz for a year, R10 000 in cash, and a R50 000 Woolworths gift card to buy a better wardrobe.


Excited for the future
"Our top three finalists have really exceeded our expectations this year," says Aisha Mohamed, SABC3 channel head. "It's not easy finding a presenter, let alone three who have all the qualities to appeal to our vast audience.

"We wish Zoe, Jade and Danilo much success as they pursue their dreams on Expresso, Top Billing and Afternoon Express. May their careers continue to grow from strength to strength".

"Winning still feels surreal," says Zoe Brown, thanking viewers for their support. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would make it all the way to the end."

"I am grateful to be a new presenter on Afternoon Express," says Danilo Acquisto. "I look forward to making magic on SABC3. A big thank you to all the South Africans from all walks of life who supported and encouraged me."

"It's hard to believe this is actually happening," says Jade Hubner. "I used to joke that if you had to match my personality to a job, it would be as a Top Billing presenter. Well, as it turns out it wasn't a joke. It was my destiny. I'm overwhelmed with joy and humbled and grateful. I'm so excited for the future and can't wait to get started."

SABC3 and Top Billing's Presenter Search on 3 returning for a 4th TV turn in May, will once again look for new on-air talent to join the channel's shows.

SABC3 and Top Billing's Presenter Search on 3 will return from May for a 4th time, once again looking to add new South African TV talent to joins shows like Top Billing, Expresso or Afternoon Express.

The Presenter Search on 3 will once again be produced by Tswelopele Productions with the search for a new presenter or presenters to join various SABC3 shows that is taking place to co-incide with the 25th anniversary of the venerable weekly gloss entertainment and lifestyle magazine show Top Billing that started on the SABC in 1992.

Previous seasons of the highly popular Presenter Search on 3 have made bona fide TV stars and celebrities of Simba Mhere and Jonathan Boynton-Lee with thousands of hopefuls who queued across the country in 2010 and in 2012 when it known as My Top Billing Dream.

The last season of Presenter Search on 3 was held in 2015 with the winners who were Zoe Brown who joined Expresso, Danilo Acquisto who joined Afternoon Express and Jade Hubner who joined Top Billing.

The show was however also a star vehicle launching pad for Chris Jaftha who made the Top 5 and was picked up soon afterwards by Top Billing as a presenter as well anyway, and who is currently also the co-presenter of Dancing with the Stars South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101).

Likewise Mishka Patel was picked up to join Tswelopele Productions' weekly Afrikaans magazine show Pasella on SABC2.

The presenter of the new Presenter Search on 3 will include among others Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Ayanda Thabethe and the evergreen Jeannie D.

Contestants will once again be put through their paces in grueling real-life TV challenges before and behind-the-scenes with various presenting tasks taking place in-studio and shot outside on-location to not just test the telegenic mettle of those who want to be on TV but also their adaptability and how they respond to unexpected production curveballs.

Zoë Brown gone from SABC3's Expresso without explanation as SABC3 readies another Presenter Search on 3 for 2019 for a new Expresso presenter.

Zoë Brown has exited from SABC3's Expresso morning show after 4 years without an on-air farewell or explanation as SABC3 is ready to launch another new Presenter Search on 3 for 2019.

The 29-year old Zoë Brown joined Expresso in June 2015 after she was chosen as one of the winners in SABC3's Presenter Search on 3 competition.

Currently on an overseas holiday, Zoë Brown's last Expresso day was 29 June, coming shortly after the exit of Ewan Strydom at the end of April resigned and left to join the weekly Afrikaans magazine show on Bravo! on kykNET (DStv 144).

It's not clear whether Zoë Brown resigned or whether her contract wasn't renewed. There was no on-air farewell for Zoë Brown.

SABC3 hasn't responded to a media enquiry asking about Zoë Brown exit, and neither did Dumisa Lengwati, Expresso segment producer or Layinah Petersen, Expresso assistant producer, respond to emailed media enquiries made since 2 July and who TVwithThinus was referred to.

Zoë Brown's exit, alongside that of Danilo Acquisto who left Afternoon Express in late-2018, leave Jade Hubner of Top Billing as the only remaining 2015-winner of Presenter Search on 3 still on the air in a Tswelopele Productions and Cardova TV show for SABC3.

According to insiders, SABC3 is doing another 13-episode Presenter Search on 3 this year. Instead of looking for multiple presenters, SABC3 and Cardova will be looking for two people to replace the gap left by Zoë Brown and Ewan Strydom's exit.



UPDATE Thursday 1 July 2019 15:30 - A statement was received from Cardova TV on Thursday afternoon after publication of this article. Cardova said it responded to a media enquiry earlier. This was however not received which is why TVwithThinus kept asking. The email was however received when it was sent again on Thursday afternoon.

Cardova says that "After 4 jam-packed years on the show, Zoë Brown presented her last episode on Friday 28 June, choosing to quietly and privately end her time on the Safta-winning programme."

"She is taking some well-deserved time off, after which she will continue on her journey in the broadcast and entertainment industry."

In the statement provided Zoë Brown says "Being part of Presenter Search on 3 and Expresso has truly been a life-changing journey. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine a career in TV and I surprised myself at the joy and growth I experienced over the last 4 years."

"I feel privileged to have worked alongside the best presenters and crew in the country, and I will forever cherish my time with the Expresso family."

"Cardova Productions and Expresso wish Zoë all of the best in her future endeavours."

Top Billing presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee on what he's looking for at SABC3's Presenter Search on 3: 'I'm looking for the Simba factor'.

The popular Top Billing presenter Jonathan Boynton-Lee says that for SABC3's new Presenter Search on 3 looking for new on-air talent for the public broadcaster's shows, he's looking for the "Simba factor".

It's a reference to Simba Mhere, Jonathan's close friend who tragically died in a car accident in 2015. Both Simba and Jonathan were winners of the previous presenter search competitions on SABC3 that is once again looking for 3 new TV presenters to join Top Billing, Expresso and Afternoon Express.

With the nationwide auditions ending with the Johannesburg auditions taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg, it's the last chance for South Africans older than 18 to pitch up in the queue if they think they've got what it takes to join one of these TV shows as a presenter.

TVwithThinus asked Jonathan Boynton-Lee what he will be looking for in the Presenter Search on 3 as the ideal candidates to become TV presenters, and what people who go to the auditions should and shouldn't do and be before the judges.

"I'm not looking for the X-factor - I'm looking for the Simba factor," said Jonathan, adding "I don't think that exists!"

"To me, if I think of a good TV presenter, I think of Simba," he said.

"I need someone that's got something that no-one else has - someone who is natural on camera, who is loveable, someone who is just themselves and relatable. Like you're born to do it."

"It doesn't even look as if you're trying hard - something that just comes naturally. I'm looking for that: I'm looking for someone who walks in and is born to do it."

"Remember to not be too over-reheased," said Jonathan as a word of advice to people going to the Johannesburg auditions on Friday and this weekend. "Some people just run that link they have to do so much that it becomes so familiar that it's not natural anymore. Don't over-rehearse. Keep it natural."

"Something to remember is to be yourself. Be natural and don't try and mimic another presenter. We're not looking for Jeannie D, we definitely don't need another one of me. We're looking for someone new and someone fresh."

After the Johannesburg auditions the Presenter Search on 3 will start on SABC3 on 10 May at 19:30.

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

SABC3 and Expresso launch a 2019 Instagram-edition of Presenter Search on 3, 13-episode reality series will look to find 2 new morning show presenters.

SABC3 and Expresso have launched another Presenter Search on 3 reality show looking to find two new presenters for the channel's morning show.

The latest Presenter Search on 3 comes a year after the one held in 2018 but this time, instead of presenters for various different shows, will be looking for two presenters for Expresso to replace Ewan Strydom who left and the end of April and Zoë Brown who left at the end of June.

South Africans can only enter on social media through Instagram this time by submitting a 1-minute video "showcasing" themselves, after which successful contestants will be contacted for an in-person audition in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

Expresso is looking for "unique personalities and creative individuals who will bring something fresh and new" to the show.

In the 1-minute Instagram video, wannabe presenters must record themselves introduce themselves, give their names and explain where they live, explain what makes them unique and use the hashtag "PresenterSearchOn3". The closing date for entries is 31 July 2019.

The judges - who will still be announced and who will be made up of media personalities and celebrities with extensive experience in live television and the media industry as a whole - will then choose 10 finalists who will take part in a 13-episode reality series.

Presenter Search on 3 2019 will start on 7 August and end in a live grand finale on 30 October where the two winners will be announced.

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."

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."

Presenter Search On 3 gives on-air TV jobs on SABC3 to all 6 of the final contenders.

The outcome of SABC3's latest season of Presenter Search On 3 hit a 6 on Thursday night with the concluding 13th episode, with all six of the remaining contenders who were asked to join and appear across various of the channel's lifestyle and entertainment shows.

Instead of one person asked to join SABC3's flagship lifestyle magazine show, Top Billing, the judges chose three, with one winner for morning show Expresso and afternoon talker Afternoon Express, and one consolation prize for the 6th person asked to become a field presenter.

Interestingly the winners all range between just 27 and 29 years of age.

In the final episode of the show produced by Cardova Productions and filmed on Reunion island, the judges Patience Stevens, DJ Fresh, Jeannie D and Sbusiso Kumalo announced that there won't just be three winners.

Medical doctor Fezile Mkhize (27), model Harmony Matulondi (28), and "the fastest man on sand" and lifeguard Ryle de Morny (29), will all be joining Top Billing. They will be making their first appearance on Top Billing on Saturday 4 August at 18:00.

"Speaking French will allow me to add to an international flare to Top Billing. My diverse background, upbringing and curious nature will also bring an interesting perspective to the segments," said HarmonyMatulondi.

"I'm going to bring a fresh new energy to this show. I hope to share as much love as possible and take my viewer on awesome journeys with me as we discover and showcase moments, events and areas in a unique, raw and genuinely real way," said Ryle de Morny.

"I plan to maintain the high standard it's always been known for with a huge dose of whimsy, energy and most importantly heart," said Fezile Mkhize.

The entrepreneur and brand analyst Thabiso Makhubela (28) will be relocating to Cape Town and will be joining the SABC3 morning show Expresso, making his first appearance on Monday 6 August.

"I love Expresso and I can't wait to bring my refreshing, upbeat energy to the show," said Thabiso Makhubela. 

"The show is extremely important because people are waking up and the tone on the show sets the audience's mood for the entire day. I am like the power bank for the people and I don't take that responsibility lightly."

Actress Palesa Tembe (27) will be joining the afternoon talk show Afternoon Express and will be making her first on-air appearance on Monday 6 August at 16:30.

"I'm going to bring some spunk to afternoon TV. I'm excited to bring a younger energy to the show and add to the already positive atmosphere the show delivers on a daily basis," said Palesa Tembe.

The judges awarded actress Mosa Kaiser (27) a consolation prize and asked her to become a field reporter for Expresso.

"I am really happy about my new gig with Expresso. It promises to be a lot of fun and I am excited to bring my unique style and spunk to these inserts. I am so proud of myself and I am excited for the journey that lies ahead," said Mosa Kaiser.

MultiChoice crows about its 2020 14th SAFTAs wins by deleting e.tv - cluelessly culling category winners on its platforms like eNCA, Ultimate Braai Master and films like Buddha in Africa yet listing SABC3's Hectic on 3.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice that decided to boast about its 2020 14th SAFTAs wins revealed how badly it knows its own content by taking the list of winners and indiscriminately taking a hacksaw and deleting all e.tv wins but in the shoddy process culling content and category winners that are actually on DStv and Showmax ranging from eNCA to Ultimate Braai Master and films like Buddha in Africa.

MultiChoice proceeded to take undue credit for the win of Entle Bizana for Best TV presenter - a win that actually belongs to the SABC - as a win for MultiChoice. Entle Bizana is a presenter on Hectic on 3, a youth strand on the SABC3 channel of South Africa's public broadcaster.

On Thursday MultiChoice did an extremely thoughtless copy-and-paste job of a published list of winners of the National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) 14th South African Film and Television Awards.

This was done in order to do an email blast to the press with drop-in quotes from Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net CEO.

MultiChoice hacked through the 2020 SAFTAs winners list like a third-year accounting student deleting budget line-items on an Excel spreadsheet to remove any traces of e.tv content.

Wrongly deleted in the process was the win for Best current affairs programme going to Checkpoint on eNCA (DStv 403). While eNCA is a TV channel from eMedia Investments, the eNCA TV news channel is exclusively and specifically made and packaged for MultiChoice to be carried on DStv.

With multiple film category wins MultiChoice couldn't bother to research and was clueless that the film Buddha in Africa, that is carried and available on its video streaming platform Showmax right now, should remain in the list.

In February MultiChoice first highlighted Buddha in Africa as content that it has as a 2020 SAFTAS nominee.

On Showmax the film is still highlighted as a "2020 SAFTAs nominee".

None of Buddha in Africa's wins feature in MultiChoice's lobotomised winners' list although the outstanding film saw Nicole Schafer win for Best achievement in directing for a film, while the Thinking Strings Media production company also won for Best documentary feature.

The same goes for the short film The Letter Reader that's also on Showmax that won for Best short film.

Ditto for film winner The Fun's Not Over: The James Phillips Story.

MultiChoice saw the win of Ultimate Braai Master produced by Okuhle Media as a category winner as just a e.tv show, although it's not actually commissioned by e.tv but is an advertiser-funded production.

Ultimate Braai Master was scrapped from being included and mentioned in MultiChoice's list under Best reality programme because nobody at MultiChoice knew outright or did a Google search.

Ultimate Braai Master is on The Travel Channel (DStv 179) ... and The Travel Channel is carried exclusively on DStv.

In its list MultiChoice bizarrely proceeded to tack on the non-channel, non-broadcaster aligned awards like Lifetime achiever award, Youth achiever award and others.

After going to painstaking lengths to remove any mention of the SABC or e.tv, MultiChoice included - wrongly - a mention of Entle Bizana, the presenter of Hectic on 3 on SABC3 as Best TV presenter category winner.

In a provided, prepared statement to go with the MultiChoice mistake-filled list, Nkateko Mabaso says "MultiChoice has made substantial investment in locally-produced content, aiming to share our incredible African stories with the world. It's an incredibly proud moment to see these award-winning stories being recognised at the 14th SAFTAs".

"Our 152 nominations are testament to the fact that Africa’s most-loved storyteller continues to deliver the best in local content. Beyond entertainment, it’s just as rewarding to see how our investments in infrastructure, technology and development initiatives are empowering a supply chain which supports local businesses and communities."

"These awards are not only a great reflection of the broad local content offering available for our customers across our large selection of channels but is also compelling evidence that our investment in local content both works and matters. This is the magic that has made us Africa’s most-loved storyteller," Nkatemo Mabaso.

Nkatemo Mabaso, M-Net, MultiChoice and Showmax execs and their PR people, as well as MultiChoice's corporate PR company Aprio were all asked by TVwithThinus on Thursday night about its issued winners' list and the mistakes and omissions.

MultiChoice responded and said that it is investigating the broader issue regarding the information it receives from the NFVF and will be relooking the list.

With an updated list, MultiChoice will actually have even more 14th SAFTAs wins to boast about.

Below is the list as MultiChoice, through M-Net and Aprio, issued it to the media with several wins not included and odd inclusions at the end.

MultiChoice said that it is "The full list of awards for shows and films which have a home on the MultiChoice platform":

·       Best Achievement in Directing – Telenovela: The River (Ferry Jele, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade & Johnny Barbuzano)
·       Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – Telenovela: The River (Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Christa Biyela, Lebogang Mogashoa & Mamello Lebona)
·       Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Soap: Getroud met Rugby (Writing team)
·       Best Achievement In Original Music/Score – Telenovela: Isibaya (Philip Miller)
·       Best Achievement in Editing – Telenovela: The River (Bongi Malefo, Matodzi Nemungadi & Ula Oelsen)
·       Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap/Telenovela: The River (Ben Oelsen, Juli Vanden Berg & Tladi Steven Mabuya)
·       Best Achievement in Cinematography – Telenovela: The River (Alice Mataboge)
·       Best Achievement in  Make-Up and Hairstyling- TV Soap/Telenovela: The River (Bongi Mlotshwa)
·       Best Achievement in Art Direction - TV Soap/Telenovela: Arendsvlei (Beatrix van Zyl)
·       Best Actress -Telenovela: Sindi Dlathu (The River)
·       Best Actor -Telenovela: Roberto Kyle (Arendsvlei)
·       Best Supporting Actress – Telenovela: Mary-Anne Barlow (The River)
·       Best Supporting Actor – Telenovela: Loyiso MacDonald (The Queen)
·       Best Actress -TV Soap: Denise Newman (Suidooster)
·       Best Telenovela: The River (Tshedza Pictures)
·       Best Achievement in Directing - TV Drama: The Republic (Johnny Barbuzano & Rea Rangaka)
·       Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - TV Drama: The Republic (Phathutshedzo Makwarela & Gwydion Beynon)
·       Best Achievement in Editing - TV Drama: Spreeus (Leon Visser)
·       Best Achievement in Sound  - TV Drama: The Republic (Ben Oelsen & Juli Vanden Berg)
·       Best  Achievement in Original Music/Score - TV Drama: Spreeus (Pierre-Henri Wicomb)
·       Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Drama: Ifalakhe (Heidi Riss, Monique Lamprecht & Nerine Pienaar)
·       Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling - TV Drama: Ifalakhe (Ronwyn Jarrett)
·       Best Achievement in Cinematography - TV Drama: The Republic (Ntobeko Dlamini)
·       Best Actress - TV Drama: Florence Masebe  (The Republic)
·       Best Actor - TV Drama: Wiseman Mncube ( eHostela)
·       Best Supporting Actress - TV Drama: Brenda Ngxoli ( iThemba)
·       Best Supporting Actor - TV Drama: Seputla Sebogodi (The Republic)
·       Best TV Drama: The Republic (Tshedza Pictures)
·       Best Natural History and Environmental Programme: STROOP - journey into the rhino horn war (Scott & de Bod Films)
·       Best Structured or Docu-reality Show: Living The Dream With Somizi Season 4 (Barleader TV)
·       International Format Show: Celebrity Game Night S1 (Rapid Blue)
·       Best Factual & Educational Programme: Op Seer Se Spoor (Gambit Films)
·       Best Variety Show: Mooi (Afrokaans Film & Television)
·       Best Youth Programme: MTV Shuga Down South 2 (Quizzical Pictures)
·       Best Entertainment Programme: Emo: 30 Jaar In Musiek (All Star Productions)
·       Best Lifestyle Programme: Elders: Japan (Bonanza Films)
·       Best Made for TV Movie: Droomman (Deon Opperman Produksies)
·       Best Achievement in Directing - Feature Film: Knuckle City (Jahmil XT Qubeka)
·       Best Achievement in Scriptwriting - Feature Film: Fiela se Kind (Brett Michael Innes)
·       Best Achievement in Cinematography - Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer ( Willie Nel) 
·       Best Achievement in Sound Design - Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer (Jim Petrak)
·       Best Achievement in Original Music/Score - Feature Film: Die Verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer (Chris Letcher)
·       Best Achievement in Editing – Feature Film: Knuckle City (Layla Swart)
·       Best Achievement in Production Design – Feature Film: Knuckle City (TK Khampepe & Justice Nhlapo)
·       Best Achievement in Costume Design – Feature Film: Back of the Moon (Trudi Mantzios)
·       Best Achievement in Make-Up and Hairstyling - Feature Film: Knuckle City (Carol Babalwa Mtshiselwa)
·       Best Actress - Feature Film: Clementine Mosimane (Poppie Nongena)
·       Best Actor – Feature Film: Bongile Mantsai (Knuckle City)
·       Best Supporting Actress - Feature Film: Anna-Mart van der Merwe (Poppie Nongena)
·       Best Supporting Actor - Feature Film: Patrick Ndlovu (Knuckle City)
·       Best Feature Film: Fiela se Kind (The Film Factory and Nostalgia Productions)
·       Lifetime Achiever Award: Thembi Mtshali-Jones
·       Youth Achiever Award: Thabo Welcome
·       Outstanding Person with Disability Contributor Award: Boitshoko Keabetswe, Malebo Matlhage
·       Outstanding Provincial Contributor Award: Luzuko Dilima
·       Emerging Filmmaker Award: Vusi Africa Sindane
·       Best TV Presenter: Entle Bizana (Hectic on 3) 


ALSO READ: 2020 SAFTAs 'unable to deliver a show to the standards we had hoped for': Inside the delayed and badly done virtual fiasco of 2020's 14th South African Film and Television Awards that started 6 hours late from inside Dineo Ranaka's living room.