Top Billing Presenter Search Reveals Top 40 Finalists Including Homba Mazaleni and Karen Mthethwa
- Top Billing announced its Top 40 finalists on 6 August 2026, whittling down thousands of social media auditions to a shortlist
- Homba Mazaleni, sister of reigning Miss SA Qhawekazi Mazaleni, emerged as one of the search's earliest fan favourites
- The finalists now face in-person, on-camera challenges before a winner is crowned to join the revived SABC3 show's presenting team
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The wait is over. Top Billing has unveiled its Top 40 finalists in the race to become the lifestyle show's next on-screen presenter, with the announcement dropping via SABC3 on Thursday, 6 August 2026. All 40 audition tapes became available to stream on SABC+ from 8 pm that evening, alongside a dedicated landing page featuring each finalist's entry.
How this year's search worked
Rather than the traditional open audition queues, this year's search went fully digital. Hopefuls aged 18 and older, who are legally entitled to work in South Africa, had to post a roughly one-minute video to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or X using the hashtags #TopBillingAudition and #TopBillingPresenterSearch, tagging both @TopBillingTV and @SABC3. Entries opened on 30 April, the same day Top Billing made its return to SABC3 after a seven-year absence, and closed on 30 June, drawing thousands of submissions from across the country.
The show has a long history of launching presenting careers, with past editions producing names like Simba Mhere and, more recently, Ryle de Morny and Fezile Mkhize, both 2018 winners who now feature on the revived show's presenter lineup.
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The names turning heads
Several finalists caught the public's attention well before the official reveal. Homba Mazaleni, an Eastern Cape content creator and biokineticist who is the sister of reigning Miss South Africa Qhawekazi Mazaleni, posted a cinematically shot audition in May that drew widespread praise, including a public endorsement from media personality Pearl Modiadie.
Karen Mthethwa and Mpumi Landan, both established broadcasters, were flagged as strong contenders early on. Sine Madondo built a following on TikTok, with viewers consistently praising her warmth and natural screen presence.
Also making the cut are Candice Barry, Steffi van Wyk-Brink, Nompumelelo Maduna, Neo Rapetsoa, Leandie Du Randt, and Marika Opperman, among others who bring screen and social media experience to the competition.
The full Top 40 list is: Zahkira Obaray, Zaheera, Timothy Matheba, Tiffany Francis, Thandolwethu Msiza, Tebogo Tabane, Taylo Edith Mannetti, Tayla Galvin, Taryn Morris, Talitha Bothma, Sukeina Rossana, Steffi van Wyk-Brink, Sine Madondo, Shaun Farrel, Scelo Pango, Ruantha Pillay, Ross Marshall, Renata May de Villiers, Rachel Mogale, Qué Dayimani, Nompumelelo Maduna, Neo Rapetsoa, Nehemiah Tjatji, Nasi Hako, Mpumi Landan, Marika Opperman, Lize Martine, Leroy March, Leandie Du Randt, Khanyo Phillip, Khanye Mfeka, Karen Mthethwa, Homba Mazaleni, Elma Akob, Cynthia Zonde Zulu, Candice Vorster, Candice Barry, Byron Steve McKeith, Ariel van Heerden, and Adrianna.
Source: Facebook
What happens next
The competition now moves into a series of in-person, on-camera challenges designed to test presenting ability, confidence, and audience connection. Producers will eliminate contestants across successive rounds before crowning a winner, who will join familiar faces like Zozibini Tunzi and Michael Mol on the revived show's presenting team.
3 Other Briefly News stories about Top Billing
- Top Billing announced that anyone interested in being a presenter on the show could audition, and South Africans did not disappoint.
- TikTok star Sinemivuyo Mpulu has joined the highly anticipated return season of S3's Top Billing,
- Fan-favourite South African media personality Basetsana Kumalo celebrated her son, Nkosinathi "Nathi" Kumalo, as he turned 21.
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Source: Briefly News
