The search is over! After months of anticipation, thousands of auditions and an extraordinary journey to find South Africa’s next television star, Homba Mazaleni has officially been announced as the winner of the Top Billing Presenter Search 2026, proudly brought to you by Lucky Fish.
The sport scientist, biokineticist, digital content creator and sports broadcaster captured the hearts of South Africans from the moment she submitted her original online audition.
An early audience favourite, Homba’s infectious energy, natural confidence and authentic personality made her a standout contender throughout the competition.
Now, she takes her place among the presenters of one of South Africa’s most iconic lifestyle television shows.
From the Eastern Cape to the Top Billing spotlight
Hailing from the Eastern Cape, Homba’s journey to television has been anything but conventional.
With roots in Gonubie, East London, and rural Dutywa, her early passion for sport developed into an impressive academic and professional career.
She earned a degree in Human Movement Science from Nelson Mandela University and pursued postgraduate studies in Sport Science and Biokinetics.
Her work in biokinetics and sports rehabilitation gave her an understanding of human performance, movement and recovery. But alongside her scientific career, Homba was developing another passion: storytelling.
Through digital content creation, athlete interviews and sports broadcasting, she began building a platform that brought together her knowledge of sport, her love of people and her natural ability to connect with audiences.
A top-five finalist in Miss South Africa 2023, Homba has consistently demonstrated the determination and versatility to pursue opportunities beyond traditional career boundaries.
Her journey is proof that there is no single path to success.
Speaking on winning the competition, Homba Mazaleni says, “Top Billing is such an iconic part of South African television. It was one of those shows that made you feel like you could experience the world through your screen. I didn’t take the traditional route into presenting, so to be given the opportunity to step onto a platform that I grew up watching is an incredible full-circle moment.”
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An Audience Favourite from Day One
While thousands of hopefuls entered the Top Billing Presenter Search 2026, Homba quickly distinguished herself.
From her very first online audition, viewers responded to her warmth, charisma and effortless on-camera presence.
That enthusiasm continued as she progressed through the Top 40, Top 10 and ultimately the final five contestants.
Throughout the search, Homba attracted exceptional support across social media, with viewers enthusiastically championing her journey and expressing their belief that she belonged on the Top Billing stage.
But it wasn’t just her popularity that made her stand out. Her ability to communicate naturally, engage with people, and bring genuine curiosity to every experience demonstrated the qualities needed to become a Top Billing presenter.
During her final presenting challenge, Homba stepped into the world of motorsport, meeting racing driver Chloe Stuart and exploring a story of ambition, determination and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
The feature brought together Homba’s passion for sport with the human-centred storytelling that has made Top Billing a household name.
A fresh face for a new era of Top Billing
Homba brings an exciting combination of experience, expertise and personality to the Top Billing presenting team.
Her background in sport science, wellness and broadcasting, coupled with her interests in travel, adventure, fashion, cars and lifestyle, makes her a natural fit for the show’s celebration of extraordinary people, places and experiences.
Equally important is her ability to make complex subjects accessible, connect with people from different walks of life and bring authenticity to the screen.
Her appointment represents an exciting new chapter for Top Billing as the show continues to celebrate the very best of South African lifestyle, creativity, achievement and aspiration.
“Out of more than 3,000 auditions, Homba stood out for her warmth, her curiosity and her natural ability to connect with people on screen. Her journey reflects exactly what Top Billing is about: real South African stories and the people behind them. We can’t wait for viewers to see her bring her energy and personality to the show,” says Patience Stevens, Managing Director, Cardova Productions.
A search that captured the nation’s imagination
The Top Billing Presenter Search 2026 gave aspiring presenters from across South Africa the opportunity to showcase their talent, individuality and potential.
The campaign reached more than 56 million people during its first three months, generated over 5.4 million social media interactions and attracted more than 3,000 auditions.
From the first online entries to the final presenting challenges, the competition introduced audiences to a remarkable range of South African talent.
The final five, which included Homba Mazaleni, Talitha Bothma, Karen Mthethwa, Nehemiah Tjatji and Ross Marshall, each brought their own strengths and personalities to the competition, making the final decision an exciting milestone in the show’s return.
Top Billing extends its congratulations to all the finalists and thanks to every contestant who took a chance on their dream. Special thanks go to Lucky Fish for supporting the Presenter Search and helping make this opportunity possible.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this world-class Presenter Search with Top Billing, and the talent of the final five has inspired us. Fortune favours the bold, and Homba certainly creates her own luck – she is set for a successful television career. We are all looking forward to watching her adventures on our screens,” says Vishen Naidoo, Head of Lucky Fish.
“Homba’s distinct blend of Biokinetics, Sports expertise and passion for storytelling makes her a valuable addition to the Top Billing presenter ensemble. Leveraging her voice and talents, together with our partners Lucky Fish, we look forward to bringing Top Billing fans bespoke features and exclusive stories over the coming months. We are committed to nurturing her talent across the wider SABC network and ecosystem. We wish her an extraordinary and memorable journey ahead,” states Sane Zondi, S3 Head of Channel.
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Welcome to the good life, Homba!
For Homba Mazaleni, winning the Top Billing Presenter Search is more than a television opportunity. It is the next chapter in a journey built on passion, perseverance, curiosity, and the courage to pursue more than one dream.
From sport science to digital storytelling, from the Miss South Africa stage to one of South Africa’s most celebrated television brands, Homba has shown that embracing every part of who you are can open extraordinary doors.
And now, South Africa gets to come along for the adventure. Congratulations, Homba Mazaleni. Welcome to the Top Billing family. Welcome to the good life!
Catch Top Billing every Thursday at 19:00 on S3, with repeats on Sundays at 13:00 on S3 and Tuesdays at 21:30 on SABC1. The show is also available on SABC+.