Apple and Samsung secured second and third place respectively, says Arena Holdings.
The annual Sunday Times GenNext survey is considered the leading barometer of what South Africa's youth find on-trend and aspirational, delivering insights that are valued by brand management and advertising and marketing professionals alike, adds the company.
"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," says Lyndon Barends, MD of Strategic Partnerships and Events at Arena Holdings.
"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," adds Barends.
This year's results were compiled using data from the Sunday Times GenNext Coolest Brands reports published between 2015 and 2024, offering a decade-long view of youth sentiment. The research focused on the top five brands in each category, providing a comprehensive snapshot of evolving preferences among South Africans aged 8 to 30, says the company.
In addition to being celebrated as the Overall Coolest Brand of the past decade, Nike was also named winner in three additional categories: Coolest Brand Slogan ("Just do it"), Coolest Clothing Brand, and Coolest Shoe / Footwear Brand, adds the company.
Winners in entertainment and celebrity categories of the ten-year retrospective include Metro FM (Coolest Radio Station), Siya Kolisi (Coolest Local Sportsperson), and Black Coffee (Coolest Local DJ), concludes the company.
For more information, visit www.arenaevents.africa.
*Image courtesy of Sunday Times