The iconic lifestyle show partners with Corona to celebrate 100 Years Under the Sun and spotlight South Africa’s most beautiful beaches
Cape Town, November 5th, 2025 – South Africa’s most beloved lifestyle television show, Top Billing, made a glamorous return to the spotlight this week with an exclusive reunion event held at the breathtaking Tintswalo Atlantic hotel in Hout Bay. Hosted against the backdrop of ocean waves and golden light, the evening celebrated Top Billing’s legacy – and a new chapter that will see the show back on air with a Reunion Special on 27 November at 19h00 on S3, followed by weekly episodes from March 2026.
Presented in partnership with Corona, the event marked a shared moment of optimism and nostalgia as both brands celebrated milestones – Top Billing’s highly anticipated return and Corona’s global centenary: 100 Years Under the Sun. The collaboration also unveiled the Corona Beach 100, a global initiative spotlighting the world’s most breathtaking coastlines.
Four South African beaches have proudly earned their place on this prestigious list: Nature’s Valley, Kraal Baai, Boulders Beach, and Camps Bay. These destinations will feature prominently in the Top Billing Reunion Special, as the presenters set out to rediscover the country’s coastal treasures – a fitting tribute to the show’s hallmark blend of travel, lifestyle, and inspiration.
The evening brought together Top Billing Reunion Special presenters Ryle De Morny, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, and Fezile Mkhize, alongside former hosts Basetsana Kumalo and Michael Mol, Executive Producer Patience Stevens, and other distinguished guests from South Africa’s entertainment and creative industries.
Until its final episode in 2019, Top Billing was the longest-running entertainment and lifestyle television programme in South Africa, airing for 27 years from 1992. It was considered a flagship show for S3 and became synonymous with excellence, elegance, and aspirational living.
Patience Stevens, Executive Producer and CEO at Cardova, reflected on the journey that brought Top Billing to this milestone moment: “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 – reflecting the best of South African talent in design, architecture, art, fashion, travel, entertainment, and sport. TV audiences were inspired to excel, and we often hear top achievers say how watching Top Billing gave them the vision and courage to make their own dreams come true. It is wonderful to be back and to once again promote South Africa and South Africans to the world – to show that we truly have the best of the best.”
Building on that reflection, COO at Cardova, Bradley van den Berg shared how the revival of Top Billing also represents a modern reimagining of how South Africans consume media: “Top Billing’s return is only made possible by the strong interest from advertising partners and brands that see the power of having an association with Top Billing and with S3. We’re looking forward to bringing the brand back not only on TV but also digitally – expanding on the show’s strong social media presence and connecting with audiences wherever and however they consume content. We are excited to be working with Corona on this project now and into 2026.”
The Top Billing x Corona partnership symbolises more than a content collaboration – it’s a meeting of values: both brands celebrate beauty, craftsmanship, and the joy of living meaningfully in harmony with nature.
Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand at Corona South Africa, reflected on that shared philosophy: “Top Billing has always celebrated the beauty of South Africa – its landscapes, its people, and its sense of possibility. As Corona marks 100 Years Under the Sun, this partnership perfectly reflects what we stand for: a return to nature, simplicity, and joy. Through the Beach 100 platform, we’re proud to celebrate South Africa’s most iconic beaches with a show that encourages reconnection and spurs adventure.”
Adding to that perspective, Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager: Video Entertainment at SABC, emphasized how the partnership strengthens South Africa’s cultural narrative on a global stage: “Top Billing remains a cultural touchstone – an aspirational window into the best of South Africa. Its return, in collaboration with a global lifestyle brand like Corona, reminds us that local storytelling can still inspire global wonder. We’re thrilled to bring this magic back to viewers.”
As the sun set over the Atlantic, guests raised their glasses to a new dawn for Top Billing — one that celebrates South Africa’s coastal beauty, craftsmanship, and culture, all under the glow of Corona’s golden hour.
Broadcast Details:
Top Billing Reunion Special airs 27 November at 19h00 on S3, with weekly episodes returning March 2026, also available on SABC Plus.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR:
Broadcast Details
* Date & Time: Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 19h00
About Corona Global:
The world’s most valuable beer brand (*Brand Finance report 2025), Corona, an AB InBev global brand, is the iconic beer brand that is synonymous with paradise with a presence in 180 countries. Recognized as the world’s most valuable beer brand in Kantar’s BrandZ global 2024 rankings, Corona invites the world outside, beckoning you to reconnect with your essential nature and embrace the simple pleasures of life. But it’s not just about the beer – it’s about the ritual. The ritual of adding a slice of lime to your Corona, an experience that elevates the moment. Corona isn’t just a beverage; it’s nature in a bottle. And we strive to help protect nature and have become the first global beverage brand with a net-zero plastic footprint. This builds on our longstanding ambition to help protect the world’s oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Every sip of Corona is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world around us.
About South African Breweries:
The South African Breweries (SAB) has reimagined what a beer company can be and has anchored this in a powerful brand purpose – We Dream Big to Create a Future With More Cheers. At SAB it’s always about more than the beer. We are driven by our passion to demonstrate the unique power of beer to propel South Africa forward. Since our inception over a century ago, SAB has grown to become South Africa’s largest brewer, a powerful economic contributor, a leader in sustainability, and a champion of responsible consumption. SAB is one of South Africa’s admired companies and corporate brands. The company operates 7 breweries and 42 depots in South Africa, a total workforce of approximately 5 000, and supports a beer economy ‘from seed to sip’ of over 250 000 jobs. Its portfolio of beer brands meets the needs of a wide range of consumers and includes leading brands in beer and beyond such as Castle Lager, Carling Black Label, Corona, Brutal Fruit, and Flying Fish.
About S3
S3 is one of the SABC TV channels housed under Video Entertainment. With a daily average reach of 2.7 million viewers, S3 is one of the top 10 biggest channels in South Africa. The channel represents the progressive South African millennial and invites viewers to open up to a dialogue with the public broadcasting channel, fostering the spirit of curiosity and spearheading a generation of free thinkers and champions that frame of mind.
To view the teaser, click on the link below
For media enquiries:
Caroline Phalakatshela
Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment
072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za
