Every Thursday evening Ursula Chikane lit up our TV screens gracing viewers with her presence on South African lifestyle television program Top Billing. It has been four years since the shows ending, so where is Ursula Chikane now?

If you’re not aware or living under a rock Ursula Chikane formerly Stapelfeldt is a television and radio presenter who was best known for her role at Top Billing. Popular to contrary belief Ursula’s career did not start or end with Top Billing.

 

 

 

 

Born and bred in Bosmont, Johannesburg the media personality has obtained a qualification in Public Relations form the Wits Technikon. Ursula’s first job was as a sports presenter for SABC’s TopSport where she covered events like the Wimbledon Championship in London. It was at this point when Chikane’s career sky-rocketed to the top making her a fan favourite.

The iconic presenter has also hosted a plethora of high-profile events such the Miss South Africa Pageant, the Presidential Sport Awards, and various corporate events. In addition to this she was also presenter at 5FM as “Brown Sugar” where she hosted the top-rated ‘world-chart show’ for approximately 10 years, and guest presented at a Los Angeles based radio station called the Radio Express.

The widely recognised media personality was also the original co-host of the MTN Gladiators show and was the host of The Bar One Manhunt show.“No stranger to radio, Ursula has been an award-winning radio and television presenter since the mid-1990s. You may know Ursula from her time as the longest-running presenter on Top Billing and from her radio work which extends from the World Chart Show on 5fm to the past almost 8 years on Power 98.7. Ursula will bring her brand of sophistication to the show with three solid hours of the best in Old Skool music, great conversations and overall fun entertainment”, a press statement revealed.

Almost two years later, Ursula still seems to be enjoying and loving her job at HOT 102.7FM.

Pearl Thusi explains why she went to ZimbabweMedia personality Pearl Thusi has taken to her social media to explain the reason behind her Zimbabwe trip.

 

 

 

This comes after she, Sonia Mbele and Sello Maake kaNcube came under fire on social media for participating in a tour in the South African neighbouring country almost two weeks before its elections.Taking to her Instagram on Friday, 11 August, Pearl said she went to Zimbabwe to show the world the country’s beauty.

“The reason I came to Zimbabwe. To show the world how beautiful it is. Come to Zimbabwe and experience it’s magic. Experience the power in Zimbabwe and spread the word.

“Thank you so much for the invitation and I can’t wait to return and change the narrative of what Africa looks like to the entire world. I’m so proud to be an African. 🌍 One more African nation ticked off the list! Can’t wait to see who’s next! Thank you for your incredible hospitality Zimbabwe,” she wrote.
PEARL REFUSES TO APOLOGISE
Pearl also told her fans during an Instagram Live that she was ambushed into going to the Zimbabwean State house. She said she would not be apologising because she didn’t know that she was invited for a political campaign and not a tourism campaign as she claims she was initially told.
BACKLASH
According to Nick Mangwana – the country’s permanent secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services – the TV personalities were part of the “True Zimbabwe Tour”. The campaign is said to be by the country’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, ahead of the elections in 23 August.

ALSO READ: Instagram Reel: Pearl Thusi’ experience in Rwanda is memorable [Video]

The Queen Sono actress and former The Queen actor Sello Maake kaNcube received heavy backlash on X, formerly Twitter, after they were pictured seated with Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa and other delegates, all wearing scarves in Zim colours.

When the images of Pearl, Sello, the Zanu-PF party members and other guests were shared on X, the Mzansi celebrities were called sellout; among other things.

Tumelo is also set to make his acting debut in his father’s highly anticipated biopic Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza on BET. He will be playing the role of his brother Tokollo.

Tshabalala also notes how this biopic gave him a true glimpse into his father’s legacy and contribution to South Africa’s music industry.

 

 

 

 

Tumelo said: “It’s a humbling experience. It’s nice to take all of it in. I don’t really have a perfect idea of how big my dad was, so things like this give me a glimpse of how big he actually was”.

The legendary Kwaito artist sadly passed away in 2016 at 36-years-old after suffering from a brain tumour.

“He died smiling. That kind of shows you the kind of person he was. Being a part of the production was like reliving my childhood in a way and then getting to notice some things that maybe I was too young to notice at the time”, Tumelo reminisces.‘I’M NOT JUST A HIP HOP ARTIST’
In a recent interview with TshisaLIVE Tumelo Tshabalala opens up about how his father, who was a legendary musician, always inspired him together with his siblings to always be the best versions of themselves. He also reiterates that he is not just a hip hop artist, but an artist.

“My dad wanted me and my siblings to be the best versions of ourselves, but I don’t feel the pressure of living up to my dad’s potential because I’ll have a legacy of my own. I need to find out who I am. I’m not just a hip hop artist, I rap and I sing”, he shared.

In addition to this the budding artist shares that rapping is certainly not new to him. With the release of his latest album, he wants to be portrayed as an artist.

“I have been rapping for as long as I remember. I’m trying to use this album to portray me as an artist. Sometimes I rap in vernacular when I’m trying to uplift people ekasi. Me growing up ekasi and going to school in the suburbs shows a bit of my story”, Tumelo notes

The finale of the Miss SA pageant will be held Sun International’s flagship venue, SunBet Arena at Time Square, Pretoria on Sunday 13 August. Here’s all you need to know.According to the Miss South Africa website, the organisation is a leadership platform for ambitious young South African women. The Miss SA pageant is a national beauty pageant that selects representatives to compete in international beauty pageants.

This year the finalists’ journey was a little journey. The Top 12 finalists competed for seven spots on a reality show titled Crown Chasers. So, five of the Top 12 were eliminated from the pageant.

 
The top seven finalists who are competing to be the next Miss SA title are:

Anke Rothmann
Bryoni Govender
Homba Mazaleni
Jordan van der Vyver
Melissa Nayimuli
Nande Mabala
Natasha Joubert
The finale is set to be hosted by media personality Bonang Matheba. One of the judges will be actress Thuso Mbedu.

Here are all the latest news and updates!

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This Women’s Month, we are calling all young female writers to join our exciting Women in Journalism initiative. Find out more here!

Siki Jo-An. A multifaceted entertainer who dabbles in acting, songwriting and teaching art, Siki Jo-An has been making major strides in the music industry since beinmg a runner-up on season three of The Voice SA in 2019, and has performed in major concerts across the country.

 

 

 

Jimmy Nevis. Since taking the local music charts by storm in 2012 with the hit single Elephant Shoes, Nevis has become a much-loved household name across the country.
Brenda Mtambo. Brenda Mtambo was born in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, but grew up in Umlazi under the care of strict grandparents.
Robot Boii. Multi-talented artist Robot Boii has a huge following in South Africa and, while is best known as a dancer, he is also a talented singer, drummer, comedian and producer.
WHERE TO WATCH MISS SA 2023
It’s almost time to crown a new Miss SA! Seven finalists will be competing to be crowned the next Miss SA at the finale of the pageant held at Sun Bet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Sunday 13 August.

The pageant will be hosted by media personality Bonang Matheba for the third time. Miss SA 2022 Ndavi Nokeri, will pass down her crown to her successor. The finale will be broadcasted on SABC (DStv channel 193) from 18:30 on Sunday 13 August.

MEET THE TOP SEVEN
Anke Rothmann (23) from the Northern Cape
Bryoni Govender (26) from Gauteng
Homba Mazaleni (23) from the Eastern Cape
Jordan van der Vyver (27), from the Western Cape
Melissa Nayimuli (27) from the Eastern Cape
Nande Mabala (25), from the Western Cape
Natasha Joubert (25) from Gauteng
Miss SA