Radio Challenge

Entries close: 16 December 2025

Taal, Talent en Triumph!

From bold campaigns to unforgettable creative moments, this year’s winners have shown just how vibrant South African creativity can be. Explore the full list and celebrate the work that’s setting new standards.

Great ideas shouldn’t stay in your head, or your group chat. If you’ve got a story worth telling, this is your moment. And if you know someone who’d smash this, tag them and give them the push they need.

We’re calling on students across South Ahh to craft a 30-second radio ad in any of South Africa’s indigenous languages, celebrating what makes this place feel like home. The best script in each language gets produced and aired.

The top entry walks away with R20 000.

Forget perfect. A solid idea, your own words, and some love for Mzansi are more than enough.

#ipendoring25 #taalneverdiewemultiply #brandsouthafrica #sabcradio #radioadchallenge #sacreatives #lovemzansi #indigenousvoices

Languages and categories

Pendoring has gone through a number of changes since it was first founded in 1995.

In 2016, we amended our rules so that all indigenous languages could compete on equal footing and in 2018, we went a step further and eliminated prizes that rewarded Afrikaans separately from the remaining ten indigenous languages.

We’ve also taken steps to ensure that Pendoring promotes creative content creation beyond the advertising industry, and now also welcomes books and publication design, music videos, social media content and so much more – as long at least 70% of the entry is in an indigenous language.

Pendoring now officially accepts entries in South African Sign Language – the country’s 12th official language.

Get in touch

Let’s work together to disrupt the status quo. We’re here to answer any queries or discuss how we can grow the use of indigenous languages in SA.

A truly South African celebration

The annual Pendoring Awards celebrate South African indigenous language creative content, and the best of South African talent.

Pendoring SABC feature

Nine categories

Design

Digital Communication

Print Communications

Integrated Campaign

Out of Home

Live Communications

Film

Radio

Student

Categories are only eligible for South African non-English languages. All entries must be at least 70% in either Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, siSwati, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Setswana, Sepedi, Sesotho or South African Sign Language.

All entries must include an English translation.

Students may only enter the student category. Where possible, student work should be submitted by the school/college/university, rather than directly by the student.

All categories are single entries unless otherwise stated. If, in the opinion of the jury, several pieces constitute a campaign, then these entries will be combined into one campaign award.

Please check the “Preparation Guidelines” under each category for detailed information on what formats to use when submitting your entries.