Bonang Matheba rumoured to replace Giuliana Rancic on E! News

After recently revealing that she would be moving to the United States in 2020, there are already speculations that South African media personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba could be replacing Giuliana Rancic on E! News.

And if her latest award is anything to go by, Bonang Matheba is adding her name to the long line of South African locals who are flying the flag high overseas. The popular presenter became the first winner of the African Influencer of the Year gong at the recent E! Entertainment People’s Choice Awards. She beat rapper Cassper Nyovest, fellow TV presenter Minnie Dlamini Jones as well as Nigerian stars Davido, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage by public vote.

Speaking to IOL Entertainment before leaving South Africa to attend the E! People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, Bonang touched on her move to the Big Apple, which she said was the “highlight of her year”.

When quizzed about the possibility of joining the E! News, Bonang enthused: “That dream is still big. Ryan Seacrest is still the template. I’ve mimicked the way he has done things as a TV presenter and also his business acumen. It’s great that I have worked for E! Africa, which was a dream come true. E! is the next step.”

Could it be sheer coincidence that Bonang is moving to New York in 2020, and E! News recently revealed its move from LA to New York?  E! News co-host Giuliana Rancic also recently announced her departure from the show in 2020.The longtime host, in October, released a statement on social media saying she won’t be following the show to New York City, citing plans on growing her family.

Although Bonang is still mum about her plans in the US, South Africans are already wishing that she would be replacing Rancic on E! News.

Bonang burst into the spotlight in 2007 when she was crowned the winner the SABC 1 music show LIVE (now Live Amp) and later became the co-presenter of the show. She continued to make waves on national and international stages with her hosting skills. In 2013, Bonang was the first international ambassador for the cosmetic brand Revlon, outside the US.

She hosted the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards pre-show, making her the first South African to host the pre-ceremony. In 2015, she became the first African to be given an E! News Special Africa on E!.