Sherlin Barends, the bubbly Kfm presenter, has been announced as the host of the third season of VIA’s lifestyle series Ons Gesels Balans, marking her return to television and a new public-facing chapter while juggling motherhood.
A new TV chapter for a familiar voice
Barends, 36 and a mother of twins, is well known to many South Africans for her weekday presence on Kfm’s breakfast show. She first entered the television space in 2012 during Top Billing’s presenter search and now steps into the role previously filled by Katryn Kruger. The programme focuses on practical lifestyle conversations — beauty, skincare, healthy living, exercise and small, achievable ways to find balance in hectic lives.
Barends said the series is intended to be a gentle but useful reminder to make balance a priority and that viewers can expect “personal stories, practical demonstrations and honest conversations where authenticity matters far more than perfection.” She added that returning to TV after becoming a mother has made this particular series especially meaningful to her.
“Ons gesels balans isn’t just a lovely reminder to make balance a priority in your life — it also gives us the opportunity to learn more about the journey each week alongside our guests and viewers.”
What the show will offer
According to Barends, the upcoming season will place emphasis on accessible, everyday approaches to wellbeing rather than unattainable ideals. The format is built around conversations with guests and demonstrations, aiming to normalise honest discussions about how people manage (or struggle with) balance.
Barends spoke about the practical side of juggling career and family life, crediting a support network that allows her to take on multiple roles without sacrificing her wellbeing. She emphasised that her approach is not about perfection, but about realistic, incremental steps.
- Host: Sherlin Barends
- Channel: VIA
- Series focus: Beauty, fitness, healthy living and finding balance
- Previous TV experience: Top Billing presenter search (2012)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Sherlin Barends |
| Season | 3 |
| Predecessor | Katryn Kruger |
| Primary themes | Balance, beauty, health, practical tips |
Why this matters now
Barends steps into the role at a moment when lifestyle programming that centres honest conversation and practical advice resonates with audiences juggling busy lives. The show’s timing also intersects with seasonal and cultural conversations about women’s roles, parenting and wellbeing, and Barends has framed her involvement as both a professional opportunity and a personal milestone following the birth of her twins.
Her background in radio gives her a ready-made rapport with listeners, and producers appear to be banking on that warmth translating to television. Barends has said she values the support system — “my village” — that enables her to balance the demands of work and family, and she hopes the series will model realistic ways viewers can carve out breathing space in their own lives.
Viewers can look forward to a programme that leans on authenticity rather than glossy perfection, with an emphasis on stories and demonstrations that are meant to be relatable and usable in daily life. For fans of homegrown presenters and practical lifestyle content, Barends’ move to Ons Gesels Balans is a promising development.
As the new season approaches, audiences will be watching to see how her radio-honed charm and personal perspective shape the tone of the show and whether the series sparks wider conversations about balance in contemporary South African life.
