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'Top Billing' presenter search sparks debate as online auditions go viral

Oluthando Keteyi|Published
The presenters of "Top Billing's" comeback season (L-R) Ryle De Morny, Dr Fezile Mkhize, Arno Greef, Zozibini Tunzi, Dr. Michael Mol, Basetsana Kumalo, Bryoni Govender, Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Sine Mpulu.

The presenters of "Top Billing's" comeback season (L-R) Ryle De Morny, Dr Fezile Mkhize, Arno Greef, Zozibini Tunzi, Dr. Michael Mol, Basetsana Kumalo, Bryoni Govender, Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Sine Mpulu.

Image: Supplied/The Platinum Club

"Top Billing" is back on Mzansi screens on SABC 3, much to viewers' delight.

For the comeback season, "Top Billing" introduced four new presenters, Zozibini Tunzi, Bryoni Govender, Arno Greeff and Sine Mpulu, who joined legacy presenters Ryle De Morny, Dr. Fez Mkhize, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Basetsana Kumalo and Dr. Michael Mol.

In addition to the four new presenters, "Top Billing" is searching for a new presenter, and they have taken to social media to find them.

Compared to other years, when talent from across the country was scouted on shows like 'Presenter Search on 3, this year, auditions are happening online. Auditions opened on April 30, and the clips have been rolling in online, with the conversation buzzing.

Different opinions on the online auditions have been expressed, as with any public matter. The views are different, from critical to praise, for the auditions, with some wondering why auditions are held on social media instead of at a venue on a specific date.

A recent discussion on radio station 947's Anele and The Club on 947 highlighted how some people were arguing that the online auditions set people up to get humiliated by others. 

Co-host Thembekile Mrototo argued that social media has given access to people, which is where the problem lies, as content can be reshared across platforms.

"I don't think the issue is a public audition. It's the fact that previously, with televised searches, we wouldn't have direct access necessarily to the people to humiliate them, tag them, or reuse the content with weird commentary. So the issue, I think, is more about how the public is now so involved and able to get to people."

Applications close on June 30, and already there are favourites from the online auditions, with people weighing in on who will get the coveted spot.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend one or more in-person audition rounds, and they will be required to participate in on-camera challenges as directed by the organisers during the audition process.

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