“We are extremely proud of the fact that in its 21st year, Pendoring has once again moved the goal posts by judging all indigenous language advertising on an equal footing – this will be celebrated with gusto at the gala event. And hopefully the need for and impact of mother tongue advertising will convince marketers that this is the best and most effective way to reach consumers’ hearts, encouraging them to open their wallets,” says Pendoring GM, Franette Klerck.

No stone was left unturned to ensure that this year’s gala event is the most memorable in Pendoring’s history: everything from the handing over of trophies to the country’s top advertising creatives to the entertainment, MCs, five-star dinner, sponsored drinks, gifts and late night after party following the event was planned meticulously.

Likewise, Pendoring’s sponsors also came to the party in no small measure to ensure that the awards evening is a memorable occasion.

For years it has been a Pendoring tradition that every table at the ceremony receives a free bottle of brandy. This year, guests will be treated even more with Richelieu’s award-winning 10-year-old premium brandy. In addition, the two overall winners will each receive a bottle of Richelieu XO Cognac, which was recently crowned the best in the world.

“We believe that with a shot of aspiration, a fresh outlook on the world – as well as a bit of French inspiration, you can truly set yourself apart. We look forward to drinking a toast to all the winners and to say, in our best Afri-French: Geluk. Félicitations,” says Richelieu marketing manager Jeremy Thompson.

This year, the Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV), a platinum Pendoring sponsor, provides the goody bags, while Leopard’s Leap Wines will see to it that every table has red and white wine and eVati Mineral water in abundance to keep the throats wet.

And once again, Vodacom World’s crown Vodacom Dome is ready to host Pendoring’s awards evening, says Penny Gilchrist, Vodacom World marketing manager.

“For many years, Vodacom World and Pendoring have partnered for this special occasion. Obviously, we will once again pull out all stops to make it as memorable as possible, not only in terms of an unsurpassed theatrical experience, but also by providing a scrumptious dinner and five-star service.”

Besides exceptional food and drinks, top performers like Elvis Blue, Code Red Drum Corps and a surprise performer (from the advertising industry), will ensure that guests will be thoroughly entertained throughout the evening.

With album sales in excess of 350 000, nine Top Ten radio singles and more than 700 performances to his credit, Elvis Blue is reckoned to be one of the most successful artists in the country. In 2010, he was the winner of M-Net’s SA Idols and unselfishly shared half his winnings with runner-up, Lloyd Cele.

Blue’s first album, released after this achievement, today enjoys platinum sales status with sales in excess of 50 000 copies as well as a 2012 SAMA for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

The Code Red Drum Corps, formed in 2007 by former pupils of Parktown Boys’ High School, is a show drumming group that integrates and fuses precision and trick drumming and figurative marching with a creative mixture of traditional, African and contemporary rhythms.

The group not only went undefeated in the drumming competition for four consecutive years, they also triumphed twice on the South African TV show, 30 Seconds to Fame.

The evening’s MCs, Schalk Bezuidenhout and Rozanne McKenzie, also promise to be a winning combination.

Born in Kempton Park, Bezuidenhout’s family and friends stood back as they watched him evolve from an Afrikaans conservative caterpillar into a beautiful drama-queen butterfly, complete with moustache and furry afro. It was obvious to his parents that he would study drama, and to help numb the pain, they sent him away to study at the University of Cape Town.

While studying in Cape Town, he slowly began to realise that there was so much more to life than boerewors and rugby, so he started doing stand-up comedy in April 2011, to great acclaim. He has been a popular supporting performer in Trevor Noah shows. Bezuidenhout also enjoys acting and has performed in a number of TV ads. He is known for his interesting retro outfits, most of which are second-hand. Besides comedy, his girlfriend, his jerseys and his parents, his moustache is very dear to his heart, according to Afrikaans.com.

As actress, singer, dancer and TV personality – in particular as Kwêla and Dagbreek presenter on kykNET – Rozanne McKenzie is a well-known personality in many South African homes.

Born and bred in Cape Town, she has always had great passion for the performing arts and obtained her honours degree at the University of Cape Town in 2003. Since then she has made her mark in various TV series, including Madam & Eve, Interrogation Room, Going Up Again, Noah's Ark and Erfsondes as well as in the movies Fugue and Freedom Day.

A trained dancer, has also performed in a number of stage productions like Grease, King Lear, Miss Rock, The Great Gatsby, More Rooms and Babe: The Sheep Pig.

Tickets to the awards evening cost R900 per person and are available through Corrie le Roux ([email protected] or 011 880 5202). This includes a welcoming drink, a three-course meal, wine, mineral water, entertainment, gifts and access to the afterparty. Students receive a 25% ticket discount.

For more information, visit www.pendoring.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.