The Marketing Achievement Awards (MAA) was first conceived in 2017 with the vision to celebrate excellence in the science and art of strategic marketing. It is a platform designed to set a benchmark for marketing standards and drive constant improvement within the discipline.


The role of the council

In addition to overseeing the awards process, part of its role includes involving itself with other initiatives or events that promote or encourage marketing excellence in South Africa.

Council members have indicated that they plan to invite other industry influencers and leaders from the marketing fraternity to join them in discussion in 2020 to 'inspire, inform and celebrate marketing excellence'.

The new members

The MAC is comprised of independent business leaders and members who represent the broader marketing community and industry bodies. Members are invited on a rotational basis by the standing chairperson.

"We are pleased to announce that in 2020, Mohale Ralebitso has been appointed council chairperson. [Ralebitso is] taking over from Yvonne Johnston, who successfully chaired the MAC during the establishment of the programme," says the team behind the awards. "We believe that Ralebitso is well equipped to lead the council with precision and veracity."

Ralebitso's resume comprises over 22 years comprising senior positions in financial advertising services. These include:
  • CEO of the Black Business Council
  • marketing communications and corporate affairs director at Old Mutual Emerging Markets
  • chairperson of FCB South Africa, and
  • director at TBWA South Africa.
Joining him on the council is:
  • Alistair Mokoena: country director at Google South Africa
  • Asha Ranchhod Patel: head of marketing at Google South Africa
  • David Wingfield: managing executive marketing at ABSA Group
  • Doug Place: CMO at Nando's
  • Enzo Scarcella: chief consumer officer at MTN
  • Faye Mfikwe: CMO at First National Bank
  • Geoff Whyte: CEO at Nando's
  • Haydn Townsend: MD Africa at Accenture Interactive
  • Ivan Moroke: CEO at Kantar South Africa
  • Kheepe Moremi: managing partner at Mark to Market
  • Leigh-Anne Acquisto: CEO at Liquorish Ink Communications
  • Lwandile Qokweni: CEO at Wavemaker sub-Saharan Africa Hub
  • Mzi Deliwe: deputy CEO at Provantage Media Group
  • Rob Collins: trustee at South African Hall of Fame
  • Rob Fleming: director at Incrementum
  • Romeo Kumalo: co-founder and CEO at LLH Capital
  • Sithembile Ntombela: GM of marketing at Brand South Africa
  • Sydney Mbhele: chief executive of brand at Sanlam Group and chairperson of the Marketing Association of South Africa, and
  • Themba Nobanda: CEO at Brand Spear.
"The MAC is a rarefied opportunity to honour marketers whose work reveals the intrinsic value inherent to this crucial discipline, while simultaneously raising the industry's profile and elevating it to the position it rightfully deserves within South Africa's businesses," says Ralebitso. 

"We are looking forward to working together as a council to continue to build the MAA into the continent's most prestigious and sought-after awards programme, even in the face of monumental challenges, such as the current global health crisis," adds Ralebitso.

Entry dates

Marketers from South Africa are invited to enter the MAA to demonstrate their marketing achievements and to showcase how they have guided their brands, businesses or organisations with 'determination and precision'.

The awards are set to take place in February 2021. The MAA has indicated that there are several categories available and the entry format is an online process, which can be accessed via the website. Early bird entries close on Monday, 17 August, while final entries close on Sunday, 6 September.

"In the face of a pandemic, nothing is certain; however the intention is for the awards ceremony to be hosted in early 2021," concludes the team.

For more information, visit www.marketingawards.co.za. You can also follow the MAA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.