BlackSwan’s Thembalethu Msibi will lead iPendoring’s jury

Thembalethu Msibi is the Jury Chair for iPendoring Awards 2026. Source: Supplied.

Fresh perspective

Through BlackSwan, she has led through-the-line campaigns for brands including Telkom, KFC, Absa, Clicks, South African Airways and the Joburg Film Festival.

iPendoring recognises excellence in indigenous language advertising and communication. Over the years, it has become a space where cultural authenticity is not treated as a niche category, but as a source of creative power.

“Thembalethu brings a fresh perspective to this year’s adjudication and is a natural fit to lead the jury. She understands that language carries culture, context and connection, which is exactly what iPendoring exists to celebrate,” says iPendoring general manager Eben Keun.

Msibi has served as a judge at the Loeries, iPendoring and Effie Awards, and has held leadership roles including membership of the Creative Circle EXCO and the ABInBev Braintrust. Her experience spans integrated campaigns, brand design, live activations and sponsorship, giving her a broad understanding of how ideas connect with audiences across platforms and communities.

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Lived experience

Speaking about the role, Msibi says: “The strongest creative work understands people beyond the brief. When communication is shaped by lived experience, it becomes more honest, more nuanced and more powerful. iPendoring plays an important role in recognising ideas that are not simply translated into indigenous languages, but conceived and felt within them.”

This year’s judging panel brings together leading creatives, strategists, designers, writers and storytellers from across South Africa’s advertising and communications industry. The judges will evaluate entries through a digital adjudication process, with formal judging taking place in Johannesburg on 3 and 4 September 2026.

Entries for the 2026 iPendoring Awards are now open and will close on 28 August 2026, with the awards ceremony taking place in November 2026.