The 2025 Sunday Times GenNext event takes place in Johannesburg on Thursday, 23 October, and includes an Interactive Showcase, Insights Sessions, Awards ceremony and the publication of the Sunday Times GenNext Supplement, to provide brands and marketers with valuable insights into the evolving preferences of South African youth aged eight to 30, says the event.
The results are compiled using data from the annual Sunday Times GenNext Coolest Brands reports published between 2015 and 2024. The research focuses on the top five brands in each category, offering a comprehensive view of youth sentiment over the past ten years, says the event.
"As we celebrate 21 years of the Sunday Times GenNext Awards, we reflect on the incredible journey of understanding and engaging with South Africa's youth. Their changing preferences have consistently guided marketers, brand managers and product developers in shaping strategies that resonate with the next generation. GenNext has become more than just a campaign — it's a movement that empowers brands to stay relevant. Arena Holdings and the Sunday Times are proud to continue championing this initiative, and we look forward to the next chapter in this dynamic story," says Lyndon Barends, Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships at Arena Holdings.
The Interactive Showcase hosts between 350 to 450 youth, offering brands the opportunity to engage directly through activations, competitions and immersive experiences. The Insights Sessions allows partners to engage directly with youth and industry experts to explore brand relevance and future trends. The highly-anticipated Awards event aims to be an exclusive evening event celebrating the coolest brands as voted by SA's youth, concludes the event.
The Sunday Times GenNext supplement will be published in the Sunday Times on Sunday, 26 October.
For more information, visit www.arenaevents.africa. You can also follow Arena Events on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor