Homba Mazaleni has been named the new presenter of Top Billing, winning the high-profile search after months of fierce competition.
Key takeaways
- Mazaleni was revealed as the winner during a Thursday-night event in Johannesburg.
- She beat fellow finalists Nehemiah Tjatji and Karen Mthethwa to secure the presenting role.
- The appointment comes as Top Billing returns following an almost seven-year break from television.
- The Eastern Cape-born media personality was previously a top-five finalist in Miss South Africa 2023.
- Her background spans biokinetics, sport science, content creation and sports broadcasting.
A full-circle television moment
Mazaleni was announced as the latest face of SABC 3’s lifestyle programme on Thursday evening at Le Manoir Boutique Hotel in Northcliff, Johannesburg. She reached the final three with Tjatji and Mthethwa before claiming the title.
Calling Top Billing a landmark show in South African TV history, Mazaleni said it had always given viewers the feeling of travelling and experiencing the world from home. She said arriving on a programme she watched while growing up felt especially meaningful because her path into television was not a conventional one.
“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,” she said.
Her victory arrives during the show’s revival season, marking its return after it had been absent from screens for close to seven years.
From the time she entered the contest with her original online audition, Mazaleni attracted strong audience support. The 2023 Miss South Africa top-five contestant quickly became a fan favourite through her high energy, self-assurance and genuine on-screen presence.
From sport science to storytelling
As a sport scientist, biokineticist, digital creator and sports presenter, Mazaleni brings an unusual mix of experience to the lifestyle series. S3 head of channel Sane Zondi said her expertise in biokinetics and sport, combined with her enthusiasm for telling stories, made her a strong addition to the Top Billing presenting team.
Zondi said the channel and its partner, Lucky Fish, planned to use Mazaleni’s skills and voice to deliver tailored segments and exclusive stories for viewers in the months ahead. The channel also intends to support and develop her career across the wider SABC network and ecosystem, with Zondi wishing her a remarkable journey.
Originally from the Eastern Cape, Mazaleni’s route to TV developed through sport and academia. Her early love of athletics led to a notable educational and professional career, beginning with a human movement science degree from Nelson Mandela University.
She went on to complete postgraduate studies in sport science and biokinetics. Her professional work in biokinetics and sports rehabilitation gave her detailed insight into movement, recovery and human performance.
At the same time, she was nurturing a separate ambition in storytelling. By creating digital content, interviewing athletes and working in sports broadcasting, Mazaleni built a platform that blended her sporting knowledge, interest in people and natural ability to engage an audience.
