After a six-year hiatus, one of South Africa’s most beloved television shows has officially made its comeback. Top Billing, the iconic lifestyle series that defined aspirational living for nearly three decades, returned this week with a glamorous reunion event at the breathtaking Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay.
Hosted against a backdrop of golden light and ocean views, the evening marked a new era for Top Billing as it announced the premiere of its Reunion Special on 27 November at 19h00 on S3, followed by weekly episodes starting March 2026.
A Partnership Under the Sun
Presented in partnership with Corona, the event celebrated two milestones: Top Billing’s highly anticipated return and Corona’s 100 Years Under the Sun global centenary. The collaboration also introduced the Corona Beach 100, a worldwide campaign highlighting the planet’s most breathtaking coastlines.
Four of South Africa’s beaches, Nature’s Valley, Kraal Baai, Boulders Beach, and Camps Bay, earned a spot on this prestigious list and will feature in the Top Billing Reunion Special. The show’s presenters will revisit these destinations, bringing viewers an inspiring blend of travel, beauty, and nostalgia that has always been Top Billing’s hallmark.
A Night of Nostalgia and New Beginnings
The reunion brought together familiar faces, including Ryle De Morny, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, and Fezile Mkhize, alongside former hosts Basetsana Kumalo and Michael Mol. The guest list also included Top Billing’s Executive Producer Patience Stevens, industry leaders, and notable personalities from South Africa’s entertainment and creative spheres.
For 27 years, Top Billing was more than a television show. It was a cultural touchstone that celebrated local excellence across design, architecture, art, fashion, travel, and sport. Its final episode aired in 2019, closing a chapter that inspired generations of South Africans to dream bigger.
Reflecting on the show’s legacy, Patience Stevens, Executive Producer and CEO at Cardova, shared:
“Top Billing came so far from the very first broadcast done in a tiny edit suite at the SABC to filming in the most magnificent houses in the country and indeed the world. Audiences were inspired to excel, and many of South Africa’s top achievers often say how watching Top Billing gave them the courage to chase their dreams. It’s wonderful to be back and once again showcase the best of South Africa to the world.”
A Modern Revival
Bradley van den Berg, COO at Cardova, added that Top Billing’s return reflects how media consumption has evolved.
“This comeback is made possible by the strong interest from partners and brands who see the value of being associated with Top Billing and S3. We’re not only bringing it back on television but also expanding digitally to connect with audiences wherever they are. Our collaboration with Corona is just the beginning.”
Shared Values, Shared Vision
The partnership between Top Billing and Corona represents more than content alignment. Both brands celebrate craftsmanship, nature, and the beauty of meaningful living.
Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand at Corona South Africa, explained:
“Top Billing has always showcased the beauty of South Africa its landscapes, people, and sense of possibility. As Corona celebrates 100 Years Under the Sun, this partnership reflects what we stand for: a return to simplicity, nature, and joy.”
Adding to that sentiment, Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager for Video Entertainment at SABC, said:
“Top Billing remains a cultural touchstone, an aspirational window into the best of South Africa. Its return, in collaboration with a global brand like Corona, reminds us that local storytelling continues to inspire global wonder.”
As the sun set over the Atlantic, guests raised their glasses to Top Billing’s next chapter, one that celebrates South Africa’s coastlines, creativity, and spirit under Corona’s golden glow.