Meet South Africa’s Cannes Lions Judges 2025

It’s day one of Cannes, and while the rosé is chilling and the Croisette is filling up fast, South Africa’s Cannes Lions judges have already been hard at work. Every year, a select group of our industry leaders are invited to represent the country at the highest level of creative judgment. Whether they’re deep in shortlist sessions or seated on the Grand Prix jury, these are the people helping shape the global creative benchmark. Let’s raise a glass (and maybe our lanyards) to the brilliant minds doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

Thanks to our partners LITTLEBIG and their support IDIDTHAT is once again live from the Croisette with all the Cannes Lions coverage. Go Team SA!

Let’s take a moment to get to know the judges representing South Africa on this global stage.

Andisa Ntsubane 🇿🇦

Managing Executive: Brand, Marketing & Communications, Vodacom Group
Dan Wieden Titanium Lions Judge

Andisa Ntsubane is the Managing Executive: Brand, Marketing and Communications for Vodacom Group Africa.

Andisa is responsible for leading a world-class Brand, Marketing and Communications capability that unlocks value for the organization, supports its purpose-led strategy for value creation and growth across its markets, to deepen the connection between employees, customers, communities and broader stakeholders with the Vodacom / Vodafone brands across Africa.

A Chartered Marketer and Certified Customer Experience Professional, Andisa brings over 25 years of multi-geography and multi-industry experience, gained over the course of his career in Marketing, Communications and Strategy. Previously he worked at Old Mutual Limited, where he was the Interim Chief Marketing Officer and later, the Strategy Executive for Group Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability. He has also held various leadership positions at the likes of Microsoft, the Standard Bank Group and Cell C. Andisa is a member of the Global Sustainability Council of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and has served as the 2024 Global Jury President of the B2B and the 2025 Jury President of the Lions Scholarship Jury at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Andisa has attended Executive Leadership Programmes at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), London Business School (UK), the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) and the Institute for Real Growth (Netherlands)

Andrea Quaye 🇿🇦

Marketing Director, Heineken
Brand Experience & Activations Judge

Andrea Quaye is the Marketing Director at HEINEKEN Beverages, South Africa. With an impressive 25-year career in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, Andrea has amassed a wealth of experience across various blue-chip companies, including Unilever, SABMiller, AB InBev, The Coca-Cola Company, and HEINEKEN.

As a commercial marketing leader, Andrea has consistently demonstrated her ability to spearhead turnarounds and build new categories. Her innovative approach and multi-cultural expertise have allowed her to navigate and excel in diverse markets across Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, APAC, and MENA regions.

Andrea’s exceptional work has not gone unnoticed, as she has received numerous accolades for effectiveness and creativity. Her achievements have been recognized both in her home country of South Africa, with prestigious awards such as the Loeries, and on the international stage, including Cannes Lions, Effies, D&AD, and Clio Awards.

Andrea’s dedication to her craft and her proven track record make her a standout professional in the marketing industry.

Brandt Botes 🇿🇦

Head of Design, Dentsu Creative
Design Lions Shortlisting Judge

Brandt Botes is an internationally recognized graphic designer and creative director with over 25 years of experience. As Head of Design at Dentsu Creative SA, he leads initiatives that merge design with digital innovation, emphasizing craft combined with technology to produce compelling brand narratives.

Throughout his career, Brandt has collaborated with some of South Africa’s most prominent brands and has been instrumental in creating new brand identities from the ground up. He specializes in developing authentic brand languages that emotionally resonate with audiences through storytelling, innovative thinking, and rich experiences. ​

Brandt’s commitment to excellence is evident in his approach to design, viewing craft not merely as a skill but as a mindset and a revolution against mediocrity. Under his leadership, Dentsu Creative Design aims to challenge the ordinary and build extraordinary brand experiences.

Carl Willoughby 🇿🇦

Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Hunt Lascaris
Direction Lions Judge

Cape Town born and bred. I’ve worked at all the major agencies on brands across various categories and disciplines. I even worked on the Bahrain Formula One account, then helped launch a telecommunications company while living in the Middle East.

I believe the right creative solution solves any problem, that great work rises to the top, and that all stresses disappear when that incredible big idea lands. My work has been recognized both locally and internationally at all the major awards shows: The One Show, D&AD, Cannes Lions, the Loeries, and the Bookmark Awards. I take pride in developing work that is locally relevant yet globally competitive.

I am the Chief Creative Officer of TBWA\Hunt Lascaris in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I’m helping build the reputation of this powerhouse agency. Two years into the role, we achieved a few incredible milestones: Cannes Lions Regional Network of the Year in 2024, Best Digital Agency, Best Brand, and the Special Honours Award for ‘Best Creative’ at the Bookmark Awards (a digital awards show). We also won Overall Agency of the Year at The Creative Circle 2024 Best of the Year Awards. In 2021, I was ranked the #1 ECD at the local Loerie Awards.

I am currently serving as the Chairperson of the Creative Circle, the official voice of South African advertising, and I hold a position on the board of the local Loerie Awards.

In my spare time, I feed my squash, coffee, and photography addictions.

Claudelle Naidoo 🇿🇦

CEO, GroupM, Sub-Saharan Africa
Media Shortlisting Judge

With over two decades of experience across Media, Marketing, Research, Data, and Advertising, I bring a deep understanding of Africa’s diverse markets and a passion for driving impactful, insight-led work. My career spans leadership roles across East, West, and Southern Africa, where I’ve partnered with some of the world’s leading brands to deliver transformative results.

Currently leading GroupM’s operations in Sub-Saharan Africa, I’m known for navigating complexity, championing innovation, and building high-performing teams. I’m especially driven by work that blends creativity with data, technology, and cultural relevance to unlock true brand growth.

As a Cannes Lions shortlisting judge, I’m honoured to represent a continent rich in creativity and bold ideas—and committed to celebrating work that pushes boundaries, delivers results, and inspires change.

Devaksha Vallabhjee 🇿🇦

Creative Group Head, FCB Africa
Industry Craft Shortlisting Judge

Devaksha Vallabhjee is a Creative Group Head at FCB Africa, working and living in Cape Town, South Africa.

Her career in advertising has led her to work at global network agencies like Ogilvy, Publicis and Accenture Song, and independent agencies like DUKE and Joe Public, to deliver award-winning work for brands like KFC, Volkswagen, Mondelez, Coca-Cola Company, and Nando’s.

Devaksha also works towards driving diversity and youth empowerment in the South African industry, advocating for a safer and more uplifting creative environment. She has served as a mentor to young creatives at various agencies, as well as at the Loeries Student Bootcamp.

With a background in journalism and media, Devaksha still enjoys editorial writing, occasionally contributing to publications like Daily Maverick and Connect Everything Collective. Her interests include current affairs, social justice and cultural commentary.

Fumani Khumalo 🇿🇦

Creative Group Head, VML
Outdoor Lions Shortlisting Judge

Fumani Khumalo is a Creative Group Head at VML and practicing as a fine artist. As a comprehensive creative he has participated in several art exhibitions and won multiple local and international awards.

He has crafted standout work for brands like Colgate, Meta, Vodacom, Durex, Dove, and Nando’s—bringing insight, culture, and creativity together in every brief.

Beyond advertising, his art studio has exhibited locally and abroad, exploring African identity through symbolic gradients, movement, and the ever-evolving nature of self. Through his art, he invites viewers to question fixed notions of Blackness and belonging, creating a visual language that is as dynamic and multifaceted as the cultures he represents.

His career includes being commended for being Design Indaba’s emerging creative, WPP Rising Star, exhibiting for Unconventional Creativity at Cannes Lion and being awarded the Daniel Arsham x A-COLD-WALL global artist grant.

Whether in the gallery or in the pitch room, he brings the same belief: ideas should move people.

Gugu Mthembu 🇿🇦

Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom
Creative Business Transformation Lions Judge

Gugu Mthembu is as passionate about developing respectable brands as she is about facilitating diversity in the creativity industry. A firm believer in a balanced approach to brand building and commercial growth driving both short term impact and long term brand and business sustainability.

With a background in information technology, she integrates data, tech and creativity in her strategic planning and execution. Gugu understands the key role she plays in industry and societal transformation and spearheads initiatives that drive inclusion and impactful change inside and outside the business.

Under her stewardship, Telkom has significantly shifted its market share and has regained consumer trust and confidence earning the brand, amongst other recent awards, the prestigious title of Best Mobile Provider, in the 2024/25 Ask Africa Orange Index in South Africa.

Kagiso Lediga 🇿🇦

Story Merchant, Diprente, Global
Entertainment Lions Judge

Kagiso Lediga is a multi-hyphenate force in African entertainment. A pioneering stand-up comedian, he created groundbreaking South African comedy shows, including the two time International Emmy nominated ‘Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola’, blending political satire with social commentary. Transitioning to film, he wrote/directed ‘Catching Feelings’ (2017), the first African Netflix Original, followed by the cult hit ‘Matwetwe’ (2018). His directorial work includes episodes of Netflix’s ‘Queen Sono’ (2020) which he also created.

In 2024, he voiced Young Rafiki in Barry Jenkins’ ‘Mufasa: The Lion King, marking his Disney debut. Through Diprente, his production company, he champions bold African storytelling. Lediga mentors emerging creatives while redefining African narratives with humour and heart.

Kagiso Musi 🇿🇦

Group Managing Director, Meta Media
Outdoor Lions Judge

An astute and highly experienced executive at the helm of iconic and results-generating marketing and advertising campaigns on the African continent.

She is the Group Managing Director of Meta Media, a digital and data-led media agency. She has a proven history of developing and designing successful marketing and communications campaigns for countless local and international blue-chip brands.

Kagiso is a graduate of the AAA School of Advertising, Wits Business School and holds an MBA from the University of Roehampton, London. She served on the first MAC Transformation Charter Council in South Africa, was the inaugural chairperson of the global effectiveness awards – Effie South Africa and a current committee member, a Grand Jury judge for Effie SA 2024 and 2025, a Jury President for the Mark Awards 2024 and a trustee on the board of Young Entrepreneurs South Africa (YESA), a member of the G20 entrepreneurial alliance.

Kagiso is a regular contributor on industry news, a guest lecturer, a curriculum advisor for the design department at the Tshwane University of Technology and a board member of the industry body, the Advertising and Communication Association of South Africa (ACA).

Khangelani Dziba 🇿🇦

Group Divisional Head: PR & Influencer Marketing, RAPT Creative Agency
PR Lions Judge

Khangi Dziba (they/them) is a seasoned award winning integrated brand communications specialist with a Masters degree in Brand Leadership. They have worked in the advertising/marketing industry in various senior integrated leadership roles building an illustrious career and portfolio.

With over 12 years of experience they have an exceptional understanding of creative strategy building and the execution thereof with particular focus on Influencer Marketing, Public Relations, Partnerships and Trade Actions. This has exposed them to strategies that allow brands to resonate with various consumers and media segments to achieve compelling storytelling, brand awareness, brand love and conversion through a high performing, highly engaged, creative approaches. With a proven global track record of developing and leading teams towards the execution of marketing brand communications strategies across omni-channels and producing academic studies, some of their client include but are not limited to: Diageo (Casamigos & The Singleton), Edward Snell (Remy Martin & Southern Comfort), L’Oreal, Dark & Lovely, TFG, Pernod Ricard, Heineken Brands & Signal Hill Products.

Kitso Moremi 🇿🇦

Sound Engineer/Content Director/Podcaster, Mmino Wa Kitso
Entertainment Lions for Music Judge

Kitso Moremi is a content director, multi-award-winning sound engineer and podcaster. He began his career as a sound engineer in the advertising industry in 2003. Over more than 20 years, he has been the audio architect for some of the most beloved commercials. He has served as a recurring judge for The Loerie Awards and was ranked third sound engineer in the Middle East and Africa in The One Show in 2023.

Kitso has worked to advance creativity within sound and video on the African continent. Notably, in 2015, he co-founded the pioneering music podcast in South Africa: The Sobering Podcast, bringing his love for music and sneakers together. For 10 seasons, he has conceptualised, filmed, edited and oversaw the production of The Sobering Podcast audio and audiovisual episodes. He has since collaborated with global brands to bring content marketing to life through The Sobering Podcast and his own social channels. Today, he directs sports shows in traditional media and leads sound design on digital assets for films. He is passionate about uncovering innovative ways to tell stories and contribute to the elevation of sound, sneakers and sport in Africa.

Liesl Lategan Kyriakou 🇿🇦

Founder and Executive Producer, Spitfire Films
Film Craft Lions Judge

It can’t be done? Hold my Aperol Spritz.

‘Can’t’ is not a word you’ll hear come out of Liesl Lategan’s mouth. As co-founder and Executive Producer at Spitfire Films, she’s built a formidable reputation as someone who gets things done, whatever the odds. In fact, tell her that something can’t be done and she’ll take it as a challenge, rather than an invitation to surrender.

And since she opened Spitfire’s doors it’s been an approach that’s accomplished impressive results. Together with co-founder and Director AK, Liesl has grown the company to be a major player in the industry, with Spitfire recently placed 9th in the Loeries Official Overall Production Company Rankings for the whole of Africa and the Middle East.

She’s been invited to judge the Ciclope awards. She’s been invited to judge the Assegai awards. And, with Spitfire, she’s been on the receiving end of more than 95 awards, including Cannes, One Show, Loeries, Clios, D&ADs and a whole lot more.

So much for can’t.

And so it’s been right through her career.

Liesl takes all of her intense passion for making great work, combines it with an instinctive skill for finding solutions, and gets the results clients need. Clients that include the biggest agencies in the business and the greatest brands in Africa and beyond. She’s put the ‘produce’ into Executive Producer like no-one else has, because she can. And ‘can’t’ doesn’t cut it, ever.

Linda Kachingwe-Sisya 🇿🇦

Executive Marketing & Communication Head – Africa and International, Rand Merchant Bank
Direct Lions Shortlisting Judge

Linda Kachingwe-Sisya is the Executive Head of Marketing and Communication for Africa and International at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) & First National Bank (FNB) – FirstRand Group.

With an impressive 19-year career in the FMCG and Financial services industries, Linda has amassed a wealth of experience and has an award-winning track record in building iconic brands, managing high performing teams, driving transformation and delivering high-impact results across various blue-chip companies, such as Unilever, Standard Bank, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and First National Bank (FNB) across major regions such as Africa, India, China, the UK and USA.

As a commercial marketing leader, Linda has consistently demonstrated her ability to spearhead turnarounds and build new categories across regions. Her innovative approach and multi-cultural expertise have allowed her to navigate and excel in diverse markets across geographies.

Her exceptional work has not gone unnoticed, as she has received numerous accolades for effectiveness and creativity. Throughout her career, Linda has built diverse, high-performing teams that deliver powerful creative solutions for complex business challenges.

Linda’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements; she is deeply invested in mentoring emerging leaders and cultivating inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives fuel innovation and creativity to create lasting value for brands, businesses and communities. Linda has served on prestigious juries for Cresta Awards, MMA SMARTIES Awards, International ANDY Awards and Gerety Awards.

Linda has a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Economics from the University of Malawi, an MSc in Strategic Management from the University of Derby (UK), completed the Global Executive Leadership Program at University of Pretoria’s, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus Institute of Management, in collaboration with MIT Management Executive Education and Columbia Business School.

Lovemore Muzwayine 🇿🇦

Sound Designer, Aquanote Productions
Audio & Radio Lions Judge

Lovemore Muzwayine is a sound designer and founder (Aquanote Productions. He is a seasoned sound designer with 20 years of extensive experience spanning audio, radio, music, and film.

His passion for crafting immersive soundscapes has led me to collaborate with diverse projects, always striving to elevate the narrative through sound.

Committed to pushing the creative boundaries of sound, He continuously seek new opportunities to create memorable auditory experiences that engage and inspire audiences.

In the previous years, Lovemore has also enjoyed the honours of being Ranked No1 Radio Production Studio and Engineer by The Loeries (Middle East and Africa).

His passion for sound goes beyond technical expertise, He believes that sound is a powerful tool for storytelling, capable of shaping audience perception and engagement.

As He continues to evolve in this dynamic field, He is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the richness of cinema and sound art, and also committed to delivering exceptional auditory experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Over the years, His work has garnered recognition within the industry, earning prestigious awards such as the Loeries, Pendorings, One Show, and Cannes Awards.

Mike Sharman 🇿🇦

Chief Creative Officer, Retroviral
Social & Creator Lions Shortlisting Judge

Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Retroviral, which has made more brands ‘go viral, globally’ than any other agency in Africa. You will have seen his work for Checkers Sixty60, Kreepy Krauly, RocoMamas, Russell Hobbs and M-Net, to name a few.

He has developed campaigns that have been classified as ‘truly viral’ (The Sixty60 Swindler, My Kreepy Teacher, Nando’s Last Dictator Standing)

Mike was named finalist in South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, and one of the Mail & Guardian’s top 200 young (under 35) South Africans in 2013. He has won awards at every major show including Cannes Lions, Loeries, and Sabre Awards.

From a philanthropic perspective, Mike is a co-founder of the Put Foot Foundation – a charity that has fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars and secured 100,000+ school shoes for children across the SADAC region, who had previously walked to school barefoot.

Neo Mashigo 🇿🇦

Chief Creative Officer, The Up&Up Group (Affiliated to the global M&C Saatchi Group)
Film Lions Judge

Before joining M&C Saatchi Group South Africa in 2017, Neo was an Executive Creative Director at two of South Africa’s largest creative advertising agencies – Ogilvy & Mather Johannesburg and FCB Johannesburg.

As the FORMER chairperson of the non-profit Creative Circle South Africa, he is dedicated to promoting African creativity as a business tool. His inherent passion for conceptualising advertising and nurturing talent that is more representative of South Africa, and the continent, has seen him recognised as Industry Leader of the Year at the Financial Mail AdFocus Awards 2019.

Neo is also the co-founder of I See A Different You – a collective of Soweto-born creatives who strive to reimagine narratives about Africa and change the world’s perceptions about the continent.

He has several local and international awards to his name, including a Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival of Creativity and two Grand Prix’s at The Loerie Awards – of which he is also the former Chairman and current board member.

Pete Case 🇿🇦

CEO and Creative Chairman, Ogilvy
Creative Strategy Lions Judge

A 35 year career in the creative industry and passionate about creating impactful brand experiences and advertising for brands.

Previously ranked in top 10 by WARC, as one of the world’s best performing Chief Creative Officers. Credited with over 1,000 awards from around the globe for both creativity and effectiveness including; 4 Cannes Grand Prix, 8 Loerie Grand Prix, 2 Effies Grand Prix, 2 Emmy Awards and Ogilvy’s first Green Pencil at the One Show.

Previous Founder of Gloo, winner of South Africa’s Digital Agency of the Year Award for 8 consecutive years.

A regular judge at awards shows and believes that creativity is a key capability to drive business growth.

Pete Little 🇿🇦

Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe
Design Lions Judge

Pete Little is Chief Creative Officer of Publicis Groupe Africa, and has a career spanning over 20 years, affording him the opportunity of working with a wide range of local and international brands.

In this time, he has partnered with various marketers and talented creative people to achieve many top local and international accolades.

Pete’s passions lie in ideas, design and people, and how this ever-changing world effects them and the brands they engage with. While in his spare time, pursues his other great passion, mentorship.

Robert Thompson 🇿🇦

Head of Marketing and Communication, Sanlam Investments
Brand Experience & Activation Lions Shortlisting Judge

Robert Thompson is the Head of Marketing and Communications at Sanlam Investments, based in Cape Town South Africa. With over two decades of experience in financial services, Robert has played a pivotal role in shaping the marketing strategies of several prominent companies. Robert specialises in strategic marketing, brand development and client-centric solutions. He has a proven track record in transforming marketing functions, driving innovative projects and achieving significant brand growth.

However, his passion lies in impact investing – a professional aim that aligns with the Sanlam Investments business objective: creating lasting impact for people, communities and the planet. Robert is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights to create impactful marketing strategies, which drive sustainability in broader South African and African society.

His work with high-impact marketing teams, collaborating alongside expert investment professionals on a multi-billion dollar brand, has contributed to globally-relevant initiatives. These range from climate-urgent projects, such as protecting one of the planet’s most important ecosystems, the Galapagos Islands; to renewable energy projects and investment in social infrastructure in the education and health sector.

Sbusiso Kumalo 🇿🇦

Group Chief Marketing Officer, African Bank
Creative Strategy Lions Shortlisting Judge

Sbusiso is a seasoned Marketing Executive with over 20 years’ experience, mainly in financial services. He started his career at SA Breweries in 2001 as a Sales Rep, which is where he discovered his passion for consumers, branding and marketing.

Sbusiso joined Capitec initially in 2007 as Brand Manager and played an instrumental role in its repositioning into full retail banking. In 2016, he was appointed Head of Brand Marketing.

Kumalo holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and a Senior Leadership Programme from the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

He joined African Bank in 2021 and has been responsible for the repositioning of the African Bank brand and the strategic alignment of the Group Marketing function.

Other accomplishments include being the Executive Producer of the reality TV show, The Next Brand Ambassador.

Sbusiso is also a highly-regarded guest lecturer, marketing thought-leader and business speaker. He is an experienced coach and mentor and says he is most passionate about moving young professionals and business leaders forward.

He is the author of Minding Your Means, a guide to managing your personal finances.

Star Kachisa 🇿🇦

Head of Marketing, Spotify, Sub-Saharan Africa
Social & Creator Lions Shortlisting Judge

Sithabile ‘Star’ Kachisa is the Head of Marketing for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, where she directs all marketing efforts within the region’s dynamic and rapidly changing markets.

Before joining Spotify, Star built a comprehensive marketing career in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. Her experience includes managing well-known brands across various industries, such as Alcohol and Beauty. This extensive background has provided her with a sophisticated understanding of consumer behaviour and successful brand development across different product types.

Throughout her career, Star has consistently shown a strong enthusiasm for the influence of brands and their ability to connect with consumers. As a committed advocate, she focuses on strategically building global brands across Africa, acknowledging the continent’s distinct opportunities and cultural complexities.

Recognized as one of Advertising Week’s 2023 Future is Female Award winner, Star is dedicated to driving creative excellence in the industry.

Tebogo Skwambane 🇿🇦

South Africa Country Leader, WPP
Creative Effectiveness Lions Judge

Tebogo Skwambane is a highly experienced strategist and trusted advisor, with well over 20 years of international consulting experience spanning numerous markets and countries. Tebogo has advised senior executives across diverse sectors on strategy, growth, and organisational matters, delivering sustainable impact through innovative solutions.

As the WPP Country Manager for South Africa, Tebogo leads the strategic direction and operational activities of all WPP agencies within the region, fostering collaboration and driving growth. She has a proven track record of aligning local and global objectives, boosting market share, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Prior to WPP, Tebogo held leadership roles at top-tier consulting firms, including McKinsey & Company, Monitor Consulting, and Bain & Company, where she led client engagements focused on organizational effectiveness, transformation and performance improvement. Her experience includes advising large corporates and state-owned entities on go-to-market strategies and operational improvements. Tebogo is an African Leadership Institute and Aspen Global Leadership Fellow, and was selected as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

Thebe Magugu 🇿🇦

Founder and Creative Director, Thebe Magugu
Luxury Lions Judge

Thebe Magugu is an award- winning 31-year-old creative director and designer based in Johannesburg, known for his powerful use of fashion as a vehicle for storytelling and education.

Thebe Magugu studied Fashion Design, Fashion Photography and Fashion Media, which are 3 disciplines that play a very important role in his universe building. He opened his namesake label-THEBE MAGUGU- in2016. The main premise of the brand is to be afro-encyclopaedic – capturing key histories, peoples and cultures that run the risk of being forgotten, but forever immortalised through the power of cloth. Each of his collections are named after associating university subjects (Past collections include Geology, home Economics, gender studies, African Studies, Prosopography, Counter intelligence, Alchemy, Double Think, Genealogy, Discard Theory, Folklorics and most recently Reparations).

Thebe Magugu, renowned for winning the International Fashion Showcase 2019 with the British Fashion Council and the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) Grand Prize 2019, also curates a magazine journal called FACULTY PRESS. This publication is dedicated to showcasing emerging African talent and serves as a platform for vital discussions on politics, race, identity, and other issues pertinent to the African continent.

Thebe Magugu’s first concept store titled Magugu House, opened in 2024, has been named in TIME Magazine’s list of ‘The Greatest Places in The World’.

‘Thebe Magugu is at the heart of South Africa’s Cultural Renaissance’ -VOGUE MAGAZINE

‘He is a designer making personal clothes with Political Messages’ -NEW YORK TIMES

Thembeka Ngugi 🇿🇦

SVP – Marketing, NTT DATA Middle East and Africa
Creative B2B Judge

Thembeka Ngugi is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at NTT DATA Middle East and Africa. With a rich career spanning 30 years, Thembeka has honed her marketing expertise across diverse industries. She began her journey in FMCG, working with giants like Coca-Cola and Unilever. Transitioning to financial services, she made significant contributions at Nedbank and Old Mutual. Most recently, she dedicated a decade to Visa Sub-Saharan Africa, where she played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s presence.

Thembeka’s extensive experience covers both B2C and B2B environments, making her a versatile marketer. Her work across various markets in Sub-Saharan Africa has equipped her with a deep understanding of regional dynamics and consumer behaviour. Known for her strategic vision and leadership, Thembeka continues to drive impactful marketing initiatives, fostering growth and innovation at NTT DATA.

Vaughan Croeser 🇿🇦

VP Marketing, The South African Breweries
Entertainment Lions for Sport Judge

After completing his Marketing Honors degree, Croeser joined SAB as a sales representative in 2003, holding various roles in sales and trade marketing. He joined the marketing team in 2013 where he has led some of Africa’s most iconic brands. Vaughan has completed senior leadership programs at Henley Business School & London Business School and has been published in the International Retail and Marketing Review.

During his tenure as head of marketing, SAB has won multiple local and international awards, including Loeries, Bookmarks, Effies Grand Prix, Clio’s and Gold Cannes Lions. In 2023, Croeser was recognized by Scopen Agency as one of South Africa’s most admired marketers and ranked 1st in the MarkLives.com annual industry survey of marketers in 2024.

Croeser maintains a keen interest in arts, sport and education. He has performed as a soloist trumpeter with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, and is a longstanding patron of The Butterfly Foundation and Muriel Brand School. He serves on the SAB SHARP board which spearheads initiatives that aim to reduce alcohol harm in South Africa.

Wandile Zulu 🇿🇦

CEO, Pitch Black Post
Film Craft Lions Shortlisting Judge

Wandile Zulu, started his career 17 years ago in post production as an editor and later an accomplished colourist.

After running various tv shows as the Head of Post for several years, Whan established Pitch Black as a post production company and pivoted into creative marketing due to a high demand. He has an infectious laugh and his favourite word is Teamwork & Shandees.

Xolisa Dyeshana 🇿🇦

Chief Creative Officer, Joe Public, Africa and Middle East
Audio & Radio Lions Judge

Xolisa Dyeshana is Chief Creative Officer and partner at Joe Public United. He has been an invaluable part of the independent agency’s growth story, having led it to being rated as the top agency in creative rankings for Africa and the Middle East for the past 6 years.

He contributes a wealth of experience gained over 22 years, working on iconic brands from across the globe.

Xolisa has actively contributed to the South African advertising industry as Chairperson of the Creative Circle, the highest decision-making body for advertising creativity in South Africa, and served as Chairman of the Loeries, the region’s premier advertising awards show. He also strives to give a voice to African creativity on the global stage and has won awards at almost every major awards show internationally and served on their juries. He was a member of the international board of the One Club for 6 years and currently sits on the Global Creative Council for Meta and Anheuser-Busch.

Xolisa has been recognised as the joint No. 1 creative leader for Africa and the Middle East for 5 out of the last 7 years by the Loerie Awards and was recently named in Adweek’s Creative 100 – an annual global honour that has become one of the most respected accomplishments in the creative industry.

Here’s what you need to know about our Cannes Lions 2025 Partners LITTLEBIG:

LITTLEBIG is a team-focused, quality-obsessed production company that backs South African creativity where it counts: behind the scenes, on set, and on the world stage. They’ve been with us every step of the way to Cannes and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with them.
Read more about LITTLEBIG partnering with IDIDTHAT to bring you all the South Africans in Cannes news 2025

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES LIONS 2025 NEWS

We’re sharing South Africa’s shortlists as they’re announced every day
IDIDTHAT will be announcing the South African shortlists and winners live from Cannes. Follow our live updates page during Cannes week, from June 16 to 20, to stay informed in real-time.

We’ll showcase South Africa’s winners live from the awards as they are announced
The awards run over all 5 nights during Cannes week, and we’ll be there back all the Saffas. Follow us on Facebook and Insta, subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date on all South Africa’s results as they happen.

Thanks again to our partners at LITTLEBIG for enabling us to bring you all the Cannes Lions news this year.

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Pete Case

June 21st, 2025|

As the curtains close on Cannes Lions 2025, Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman of Ogilvy South Africa, shares a final day full of reflection. From his time judging Creative Strategy to stepping on stage for Titanium, Pete wraps the week with insights on the power of creativity, a toast to South Africa’s wins, and a reminder that what we do, and who we do it with, really matters.

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Carl Willoughby

June 21st, 2025|

Okay, so Carl Willoughby may have technically written about more than just Day 5, but when the reflections hit this deep, we’ll allow it. As CCO of TBWA\Hunt Lascaris South Africa, Chairman of the Creative Circle and a first-time Cannes juror, Carl captures the full emotional arc of the festival: from intense jury rooms to late-night inspiration, powerful panels, and South African pride - all wrapped in the beautiful messiness of being human in this industry.

Live Updates: South Africa’s Winners & Shortlists at Cannes 2025

June 21st, 2025|

Cannes Lions 2025 is a wrap and what a special year it was for South Africa. This page has been your live hub for everything SA at Cannes, proudly in partnership with LITTLEBIG. From shortlist excitement to big-stage wins, this year SA did us proud! The work, the energy, the people (especially the people!)… South Africa showed up with heart and an undeniable presence. Scroll back to relive the magic, and thank you to everyone who flew the flag loudly and proudly on the global stage.

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 4 by Gillian Rightford

June 20th, 2025|

Through quick quips, overheard truths, and notes from boardroom meetings, Gillian Rightford captures the contradictions of Cannes like only she can. As Executive Director of the ACA - now Africa’s first member of VoxComm, the global body of advertising associations - and a newly appointed member of the Effie Global Council, Gillian’s Day 4 reflections remind us that the business of creativity is as complex, messy, and fun as ever.

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 4 by Steph van Niekerk

June 20th, 2025|

It’s Day 4, and Steph van Niekerk is serving 25,000 steps. As Executive Creative Director at TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris, Steph reflects on what really matters at Cannes: from Droga’s wisdom to Shonda’s brilliance, to the pride she feels for her fellow South Africans. Spoiler: she loves us, and boy, do we love her!

SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 3 by Andrea Quaye

June 19th, 2025|

From paying her own way to Cannes to now judging one of the festival’s most prestigious categories, Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director at Heineken Beverages, brings a sharp perspective and love for the craft. On Day 3, she takes us inside her more intentional approach to the week filled with meaningful connections and a reminder that, yes, Club Duvet by 10pm is a real Cannes flex.