Girl Power as Kuhle and Jamie Lee Win Presenter Search on 3

It was a celebration of girl power at the grand finale of Presenter Search on 3 when Kuhle Adams and Jamie-lee Domburg were named as the winners of the popular reality series last night.

Wasting no time in starting their new lives, the duo will officially take up their positions as the newest presenters of SABC3’s feel-good morning show Expresso on Friday, 1 November.



For their final and deciding challenge, the four finalists each had to conduct an interview with a high-profile guest in the Expresso studio. They had a day to prepare and research their subject, and then it was showtime, live in front of judges Thando Thabethe, Dr Musa Mthombeni and Roger Goode.



The nerves were tangible as each finalist sat down opposite a larger-than-life personality. TV host and actress Khanyi Mbau, musician and actor Anga Makubalo, COO of McDonald’s South Africa Jo-Ann de Wet and Miss South Africa 2019 Zozibini Tunzi each had a turn on the couch, giving Nathaneal Davids, Jamie-lee, Deen Woodman and Kuhle their final chance to bring their A game.



The intricacies of an in-studio interview might not be visible to the viewer but the finalists had to manage the reality of three cameras aiming at them from different angles, an earpiece into which a director gave them instructions, inserts to announce and questions to remember while listening and responding appropriately to their guest’s answers… not the easy task it may seem when watching!



“All four of them are so talented – they all have the potential to do the job – and after spending so much time watching them grow, and take notes, and improve from one episode to the next, it was really hard to have to make that final choice,” says judge Thando Thabethe. 



Jamie-Lee’s bubbly interview with muso Anga Makubalo and Kuhle’s warm and personable chat with Miss SA Zozi clinched the deal, and the judges were unanimous in their final decision. “It was a really tough call, but I feel confident that we made the right decision here tonight,” said Roger Goode as the panel announced their decision. 



Executive producer Patience Stevens, the woman behind the show, was full of compliments for all four the finalists.  “Congratulations to Kuhle and Jamie – I am extremely excited to welcome them on to Expresso and can’t wait to see them develop as they grow in confidence and experience. But I know that we have not seen the last of Deen and Nathaneal either; and look forward to seeing how they take the exposure they had with this show and make that work for them in their future careers.”


Stevens expressed her joy at the news that one of the top six contestants, Cape Town singer Jarrad Ricketts, had announced the launch of his own range of clothing this week, mere weeks after being eliminated from Presenter Search on 3. “We are proud that the show allows a platform for all the contestants to shine, no matter whether they win the grand prize,” she said.



Congratulations also came from show sponsors Orbit. “It has been such an honour being a part of this competition and watching so many young talented South Africans take each challenge in their stride, until we come to this finale and our two winners,” says senior brand manager Ashleigh Sanderson.  “Congratulations Jamie-lee and Kuhle, it is your time to shine and show viewers exactly why you deserve this incredible opportunity. We wish you the best of luck and Orbit is excited to remain a part of this journey to give you the confidence to take on every challenge.”


And as for the two ladies of the moment, it was an emotional night for both Kuhle and Jamie-lee. “We’ve been warned about the hard work that is ahead, about the early mornings and the late nights… but we are SO ready,” says Kuhle, who will have to relocate from Johannesburg amid starting her new slot on Expresso. Jamie-Lee agrees: “This is not television – this is dreams come true!”


Watch Kuhle and Jamie-lee start their new careers on Monday, on Expresso, weekdays at 6:00 on SABC3.