IDIDTHAT announces South Africa’s 2026 Cannes Lions Predictions Judges
For years now, IDIDTHAT has brought together a select group of the industry’s sharpest minds to review the South African work entered into Cannes Lions and to call, ahead of the world, what they believe will rise on the global stage. It’s become one of the most anticipated moments on the local creative calendar. This year’s Predictions panel is made up of five of South Africa’s most respected creative and marketing leaders, each with firsthand experience of Cannes Lions. They’ve won there. They’ve judged there. They know what the global stage rewards and what it doesn’t. Here’s who’s doing South Africa’s predicting this year.
“Every year this moment reminds me just how much this industry cares about our country’s work and how it shows up on the global stage. What makes this process even more powerful is that each judge does this independently, without influence – it’s their own thinking, their own instinct, their own call. I really value the time, care and talent they put into this. The level of thought and passion that comes through in the final selection is what makes it so powerful. I’m always excited to see what rises,” says Julie Maunder, Founder of IDIDTHAT.
The predictions will be announced live at an intimate industry invite-only dinner on 19 May in Johannesburg and released on IDIDTHAT.co the next day.
Andrea Quaye 🇿🇦 Marketing Director of Heineken Beverages
Andrea has driven creativity and effectiveness across multiple markets, with recognition at the Loeries, Cannes Lions, Effies, D&AD, and Clio Awards to show for it. A marketer who genuinely champions good work, at scale, under pressure, without compromising on craft.
Neo Mashigo 🇿🇦 Chief Creative Officer of The Up&Up Group
Grand Prix winner. Co-founder of I See A Different You, which is helping reshape how African stories travel. Former Chairperson of both the Creative Circle and the Loeries. Neo knows what lands internationally and why, and he’s not afraid to say so.
Nkanyezi Masango 🇿🇦 Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy Cape Town
A creative leader with experience across categories, cultures, and continents, including a stint at TBWA Hong Kong working on adidas during the Beijing Olympics. Before joining Ogilvy, he held senior roles at TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Y&R Cape Town, King James/Accenture Song, and Dentsu Creative, judged at D&AD, and spoken on the Cannes stage. He also founded Blackboard Community, focused on opening the industry to underrepresented young talent.
Dr. Pepe Marais 🇿🇦 Founding Partner & Group Chief Creative Officer of Joe Public
Yes, Doctor. Pepe founded one of South Africa’s most consistently awarded independent agencies and has spent decades building work around a simple idea: it has to actually work. He’s recently released his latest book, ‘One Word, The Power of Simplicity in a Complex Business World’, about his journey building Joe Public. A former long-serving Creative Circle Executive Committee member, he’s been voted SCOPEN’s Most Admired Creative Agency Professional of the Decade in Africa. Every Cannes Lions week, you’ll find him somewhere in the south of France on a scooter.
Roanna Williams 🇿🇦 Chief Creative Officer & Co-founder of Boundless
The first female Chairperson of South Africa’s Creative Circle, and someone who used the platform to push the industry toward braver, more diverse work. In 2025, she took Boundless into the Loeries top ten ranked small agencies, and the Creative Circle named them both #6 Agency of the Year and #8 Overall Agency of the Year. Roanna has little patience for safe ideas or predictable outcomes. Loves a paintbrush.
Produced by the IDIDTHAT Content Studio
Credits: Anne Hirsch (Writer) / Julie Maunder
This content may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in any form without prior written consent from IDIDTHAT. Reprints must credit IDIDTHAT.co as the original publisher and include a live link to ididthat.co.
Want the industry to pay attention to your production company, agency, brand, or the work you’re proud of? The IDIDTHAT Content Studio partners with you to thoughtfully and strategically shape your narrative.
