Award-winning South African journalist and broadcaster Heidi Giokos has joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a presenter on the weekend edition of the SABC News programme Fullview. She made her on-air debut in the role around Monday, 31 August 2026.
Background and context of the move
Giokos’s appointment comes only weeks after her reported dismissal from eNCA in July 2026. Multiple reports indicate she was suspended and then dismissed following a disciplinary process. The issue centred on an unauthorised appearance in a commercial for cars.co.za, in which she portrayed a TV reporter (using her real name and a branded microphone). Sources said this violated declaration/approval provisions in her employment contract; eNCA has not publicly confirmed or denied the details in the same depth as the reporting.
She had a long association with eNCA (reports vary slightly on exact start dates, commonly citing joining around 2011/2017 as a reporter before progressing to anchor and business correspondent roles). She built a strong profile there in business, financial, and current-affairs journalism, with additional experience as a presenter, interviewer, and facilitator. She holds a BA in Journalism and an Honours degree in Communications, and has received recognition including Sanlam Financial Journalism Award recognition and an IMF fellowship.
SABC’s announcement and reception
SABC formally welcomed her, describing her as an award-winning journalist with a strong track record of credibility, accuracy, balanced reporting, and the ability to make complex economic, business, and social issues accessible. Group Executive for SABC News Deidre Uren stated they were “delighted to welcome Heidi Giokos to the SABC family,” noting that her experience, professionalism, and commitment to impactful storytelling align with the public broadcaster’s mandate to inform, educate, and empower South Africans. Spokesperson comments similarly highlighted how her background strengthens SABC’s news offering.
She has already appeared on Fullview (SABC News Channel 404), with the broadcaster promoting her presence alongside other presenters. Public and social-media reaction has largely been positive, with many viewers and commentators congratulating her on a swift return to television and viewing the move as a win for SABC.
Broader implications
This is a classic example of talent movement in South African broadcast journalism: a high-profile exit from a commercial channel (eNCA) over a contractual/ethics issue, followed quickly by a landing at the public broadcaster in a visible weekend current-affairs slot. It underscores both the competitive market for experienced presenters with business/financial expertise and the relatively short downtime possible for well-known on-air talent. For audiences, it means continuity of her style of accessible, substantive reporting now under the SABC News banner.
In short, the statement is confirmed by contemporaneous reporting from multiple South African outlets (IOL, News24, The South African, Briefly, Joburg ETC, and SABC’s own communications) in late August/early September 2026. Giokos is now presenting on SABC’s weekend Fullview.
