"What a spectacular night. The iPendoring Awards would like to thank everyone who joined them for an unforgettable iPendoring Awards 2025," says Eben Keun, Managing Director of iPendoring.
"The room was full of talent, laughter and a generous helping of linguistic magic. Guests were treated to an exclusive food experience including delicious canapes curated in partnership with Babylonstoren, followed by an afterparty on the lawn that closed out the night with high energy," says Keun.
The coveted Prestigious Umpetha Award went to Joe Public for their work on 'Afrikaraoke' for SAB / Castle Milk Stout. The campaign won six Golds, five Silvers and 12 Craft Certificates across Radio and Audio, Print and Out of Home, Film, Integrated and Digital, says the awards.
'Afrikaraoke' is accessible on both the Castle Milk Stout website and Joe Public's YouTube channel as a karaoke platform where users can choose from 12 traditional songs about wedding and coming-of-age ceremonies, adds the awards.
Working closely with Dr Evans Netshivhambe, a composer and professor of indigenous music studies, the team researched and rearranged 12 traditional songs representing all South African indigenous languages and significant cultural moments, from weddings to coming-of-age ceremonies, says the awards.
A choir and a traditional percussionist performed these songs for the platform. The arrangements were crafted with the aim to help users learn the lyrics and melodies with ease, letting them carry the music forward themselves, adds the awards.
"Congratulations to the entire Joe Public team for an extraordinary piece of work," says Keun.
University of Johannesburg were also winners of the Overall Student Award for their project From Corner Shop to Kitchen for Design Bites. They also walked away with a Gold and two Silvers for Publication Design. Their work aimed to show that the next generation of creatives is more than ready to shape the future of indigenous expression, adds the awards.
The piece is a 100-page multilingual recipe book that goes far beyond a collection of dishes. It’s a crafted project that uses food and storytelling to honour personal histories, memories and the cultural mix of its contributors, many of them drawing from South African traditions, says the awards.
"This inspired display of creativity on this multi-departmental project. The project included students from Design, Strategic Communication, and UJ's School of Hospitality and Tourism," says Keun.
With double the amount of entries in 2024, the standard across all nine categories was high. Radio and Audio stood out in particular. "A huge congratulations to every finalist and winner who qwel'ed to the highest taal level. You lifted the bar once again," says Keun.
Jabulani Sigege, Jury President and Group Executive Creative Director at Machine_ also won at the iPendorings with Khuphuka Nathi winning in Online Film Commercials, Film Crafts — Direction, Cinematography, Writing, Editing, Original Music and Sound Design and Performance.
"Directing the Awards has been an exhilarating process of harmonisation. We wanted to create a truly infinite world of South'Ahh, and that required every creative element to speak the same Spraak. We played on the concept of creativity — visually, sonically and performatively — to showcase the infinitude of Taal and how alive it is, both in today's digital-driven world, and through our Ghost of Advertising Past," says Jefferson Tshabalala, Director of the iPendorings Awards.
Guests explored Lingo, led by the custodians of Spraak. Director Jefferson Tshabalala and musical guests, Muneyi, Kekelingo and band (Cindy Tembo and Rigby Banks) aimed to keep the audience entertained, says the awards.
The cast for the evening included Vele Manenje, Mathews Rantsoma and Pule Welch. Vus'umuzi Phakathi served as Co-Writer. Costuming was by Tebogo Motshabi, with scenery by Mosie Mamaregane, adds the awards.
Among them is Ntate Sello Maake kaNcube. Known for roles in Generations, Scandal and The Queen, he aimed to bring that same presence to the iPendoring stage in his performance, says the awards.
"We wish to express our profound gratitude to Mr Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa, and Mr Siphelele Sixaso, Head of SABC Radio (ALS), for their distinguished presence and invaluable contribution, which made last night a truly remarkable success," says Keun.
"As we look ahead, we are proud to move forward with Brand South Africa as our partner. Their support aligns the national brand with the celebration of mother tongue communication. They join our valued sponsors and partners: Media24, ATKV, Babylonstoren, SABC Radio, UNESCO, UJ Humanities, UJ Arts and Culture, Caxton, Dagbreek Trust and The One Show New York.," says Keun.
"To everyone who attended, supported, judged, created or cheered from afar, thank you for making this year's awards a true celebration of South Africa's linguistic brilliance," concludes Keun.
The full list of winners can be found here.
For more information, visit www.pendoring.co.za. You can also follow the iPendoring Awards on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor