Brand SA and IPendoring launch national voting for student radio commercials – LNN

A selection of student-produced radio commercials are now airing nationwide on the SABC's African Language Stations (ALS), inviting the public to take part in a national vote to choose their favourite.

The Mzansi Sounds Better in Your Language Student Radio Advertisement Challenge was launched by iPendoring and Brand South Africa to celebrate South African life, language and culture. Students from across the country were invited to write and present radio advertising concepts in their home languages. The top entry in each language was then handed over to Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) students, who created tailored advertisements – with the SABC joining as a partner and collaborator to broadcast the work nationwide.

This challenge continues iPendoring's commitment to enhancing indigenous language creativity and giving emerging talent a national platform where storytelling in all South African languages ​​is not only welcomed but celebrated.

For Brand South Africa, the challenge speaks directly to the organisation's mandate of building national pride and social cohesion. By supporting young creators to tell South African stories in their own language, this initiative showcases the depth of local talent and reminds the country of the richness of its cultures. It is a celebration of what makes South Africa unique and an invitation to South Africans to feel proud to hear themselves reflected on the national airwaves.

The SABC is uniquely positioned to lead this campaign. As the national public broadcaster, its Afrikaans language stations offer South Africans the opportunity to listen to radio in their mother tongue, covering all of the country's indigenous languages. There's no better platform for a challenge built around the idea that Mzansi sounds better in your home language.

Viewers can now hear the advert on SABC radio stations across the country Listen to them all via the iPendoring website. Once heard, the public is encouraged to vote for the ad that resonates most.

public voting open

Voting is now open to the public, with the winning ad being announced on July 17.

Selected radio commercials feature several South African languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Sesotho and isinedebele. Each ad began as the winning entry in its own language, written by the student credited below, and then produced by the ASE student team.

Finalists listed by language

• Ku Pafuka's Mzansi – Written by Gomolemo Motlautsi (Xitsonga)
• Sa Africa Shipembe – Written by Boikanyo Manana (Tshivenda)
• Ubuhle Bomzantsi Africa – Written by Nomzablazo Maduka (iXhosa)
• K Ge Mo – Lebogang Written by Jessica Monyela (Sepedi)
• The Cry of Lefu La Gaye – Written by Palesa Maake (Tswana)
• Isevula Africa – Written by Mthokozisi Ntuli (isiNdebele)
• Written by Lena Yeyo iMzansi – Zibusiso Ndlovu (isiZulu)
• Pilo Tse Thata – written by Tshepiso Mokoena (Sesotho)
• Suid Afrika Once Is Here – Written by Brenton Losper (African)

From meditations on home and identity to stories of resilience, unity and cultural pride, each piece offers a unique perspective on what it means to be South African – told through the richness of language and sound.

All advertisements are currently airing on SABC radio stations across the country, giving audiences the opportunity to engage with each story before casting their vote.

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