Two panels of judges have been appointed, one for the Afrikaans entries and one for the other nine vernacular languages. Entries can be in any of the country’s official languages, excluding English.

The judges for the Afrikaans entries are:

  • Konstant van Huyssteen, creative director of FCB in Cape Town;
  • Claudi Potter, senior copywriter at Joe Public;
  • Ricardo Rocha, executive creative director at Etiket;
  • Leon Jacobs, creative director for Woolworths;
  • Annette Nel, executive creative director at Baie-lingual Concepts;
  • Nico Botha, senior copywriter at TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris in Johannesburg;
  • Deon Wiggett, executive creative director and founding partner of Famous Copy;
  • Marius van Rensburg, executive creative director at Ninety9cents Communications;
  • Nerine Gardiner, copywriter at FoxP2;
  • Wimpie le Roux, managing director of Publicis Machine; and
  • Liana Liebenberg, senior art director of FCB Johannesburg.


The judges of the truly South African categories (all languages except English and Afrikaans) are:

  • Neo Mashigo, executive creative director at Ogilvy Johannesburg;
  • Xolisa Dyeshana, executive creative director at Joe Public;
  • Nkgabiseng Mutao, art director at FCB Johannesburg;
  • Festus Masekwameng, executive creative director of MKT Media;
  • Vumile Mavu, creative director of MC Saatchi Abel Johannesburg;
  • Melusi Tshabalala, executive creative director at Flint n Tinder;
  • Xolisa Radebe, creative director of OpenCo; and
  • Mohlalifi Lentsoane, senior copywriter at FoxP2 Johannesburg.


“I am not looking for a Sotho ad, a Zulu or Shangaan ad. I am looking for a truly South African ad that everyone from all walks of life in our country can understand, yet grounded in real cultural insights. I don't think the Brazilians, or Vietnamese enter work and make an excuse about where it's from. They keep it real about what their nation is all about,” says Xolisa Radebe, creative director of OpenCo.

Melusi Tshabalala, executive creative director at Flint n Tinder, agrees with him wholeheartedly. “I want to see ideas that tap into the truth of what being a South African is and that make me further appreciate this place and its people. I'll also be on the lookout for great use of African languages. It will excite me to see authentic writing and thinking; not stuff that has obviously been translated from English.”

Another judge who realises the importance of speaking to the target market’s heart and emotions is Mohlalifi Lentsoane from FoxP2. “What I will be looking for in this category are ideas that have universal insights but are executed with a local flavour.”

“I will be looking for great, original concepts that resonate with speakers of the vernacular languages,” says Festus Masekwameng, executive creative director of MKT Media.

The judging will take place at Media Park in Auckland Park from Thursday, 10 to Saturday, 12 September.

The biggest cash prizes in Pendoring’s history are up for grabs this year;

  • R100 000 (overseas study trip) for the Prestige winner;
  • R20 000 for the Umpetha winner;
  • R10 000 for the overall student winner (including an internship);
  • R6000 Gold Pendoring; and
  • R2500 Silver Pendoring.


Entries close on Friday, 31 July 2015.

For more information and to enter, visit the Pendoring website. Alternatively, connect with the awards via Facebook and Twitter.