By Correspondent
JOHANNESBURG (News of The South) – What was intended to be a career-defining moment for Zimbabwean content creator Ndoyisile Sibindi has instead reignited a firestorm of public resentment. Following his audition video for the Top Billing presenter search, the TikTok star finds himself at the center of a social media campaign calling for authorities to verify his legal status in South Africa.
The “Top Billing” Trigger
Earlier this month, the iconic luxury lifestyle show Top Billing announced its 2026 presenter search, inviting aspiring hosts to submit video auditions. Sibindi, who boasts over one million followers, posted his application to widespread attention. While many acknowledged his professional delivery and “on-brand” aesthetic for the show, the response from South African netizens was overwhelmingly hostile.
The audition served as a catalyst for users to revisit past grievances, with the hashtag #NdoyisileSibindi trending alongside calls for the Department of Home Affairs to intervene.
A History of Friction: The Tembisa Comments
The current backlash is deeply rooted in an incident from 2025. Sibindi faced intense “cancellation” efforts after posting a video many labeled as classist and xenophobic. In the clip, he criticized residents of townships like Tembisa for “overcrowding” high-end shopping centers like the Mall of the South.
”People are just gallivanting… occupying the mall for no reason,” Sibindi stated in the controversial video, citing his discomfort with the crowds.
Although he later claimed the video was a “satirical joke” and offered an apology, the remarks left a lasting scar on his South African audience. Critics argue that his latest attempt to join a national television institution like Top Billing is “tone-deaf” given his history of disparaging local communities.
Calls for Legal Verification
The narrative has now shifted from social media “cancellation” to legal scrutiny. Frustrated users are questioning the TikTokker’s right to work and reside in the country, citing his previous public comments regarding the South African healthcare system and his move from Zimbabwe.
The Argument: Social media users argue that if Sibindi is “eligible to work in South Africa”—a requirement for the Top Billing search—his documentation should be a matter of public record.
The Defense: Supporters of the creator point to his history as an LGBTQ+ advocate who sought refuge in South Africa to escape homophobic persecution in Zimbabwe. They argue that the current “hunt” for him is fueled by xenophobia rather than legitimate legal concern.
As of May 12, 2026, neither the Department of Home Affairs nor the producers of Top Billing have issued a formal statement regarding the specific allegations against Sibindi. However, the intensity of the online movement suggests that the “court of public opinion” is far from finished with the creator.
For Sibindi, the dream of hosting South Africa’s premier lifestyle show may be sidelined by a much more serious conversation regarding his status and the enduring power of digital footprints.
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