EARLY BIRD ENTRY PERIOD (15% discount on standard entry fees) - 10 APRIL - 30 APRIL 2026

STANDARD FEE ENTRY PERIOD: 01 MAY - 03 JULY 2026

LATE FEE ENTRY PERIOD (10% added to standard entry fees) - 06 JULY - 17 JULY 2026

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2026 AWARDS

• Early Bird Entry Fees (excl. VAT) - Entries submitted between 10 April and 30 April 2026 - Midnight (15% discount on standard entry fees) - CLOSED

R2,125 per entry per category - Corporate Categories, Agency Categories, and Online Media & Tools Categories.

R2,295 per entry per category - Black Onyx Award Categories.

• Standard Entry Fees (excl. VAT) - Entries submitted between 01 May and 03 July 2026 - Midnight - (Entries submitted on 3 July must be paid in full by 10 July to secure the standard rate. Late payments will incur a 10% surcharge) - CLOSED

R2,500 per entry per category - Corporate Categories, Agency Categories, and Online Media & Tools Categories.

R2,700 per entry per category - Black Onyx Award Categories.

• Late Entry Fees (excl. VAT) - (10% added to standard entry fees) - Entries submitted between 06 July and 17 July, 2026 - Midnight - (Entries submitted on 17 July must be paid in full by 24 July) - CLOSED

R2,750 per entry per category - Corporate Categories, Agency Categories, and Online Media & Tools Categories.

R2,970 per entry per category - Black Onyx Award Categories.

• Student Rates: These rates will remain the same until the final deadline on 17 July. 

R1,150 per entry - Student Group Category  

R900.00 per entry - Individual Student Category

Please note: The categories "Digital Brand of the Year," "Large Agency of the Year," and "Overall Social & Digital Corporate of the Year" are free of charge, as winners are selected based on overall performance across the competition. You are not required to complete entry forms for these categories. 

Once we receive your entries, our accounts department will issue an invoice. Full payment is required before entries are marked.

Bank Transfer Payments only | Credit Card Payments not accepted | No Online Payments

If you plan to submit entries into multiple categories, we recommend that you also submit your work and clients for consideration in the Black Onyx Award Categories. These categories are judged separately by a dedicated panel, taking into account the entrant's work from across all other categories. 

(Late deadline day entries must be paid in full by 24 July)

• Entries will be considered for work that has been commercially launched in South Africa between May 1st, 2025, and June 12th, 2026.
• Should you be working on a campaign that is due to go live before 17 July 2026, and you wish to enter this campaign, we will accept it, provided the relevant results and stats are supplied to support the campaign, before the judging begins on 27 July 2026. 

2026 prices exclude VAT. 

Last year's show sold out in just 10 days. To book seats & tables, email stephen@newgenawards.co.za 

Act Fast! Venue capacity strictly limited to 480 guests—only 40 tables remaining!

Corporate & Agency Rates:

• Individual Seat: R2,600
• 1 Table (10 Seats): R25,000
• 2 Tables (20 Seats): R48,000
• Tertiary Institutions Student Rate - Individual Seat: R1,800

In-Person Event Only: No live-stream will be available for this year's gala.

Booking & Payment Terms

• Final Booking Deadline: 11 September (Seat availability cannot be guaranteed by this date).
• Invoicing: An invoice will be issued upon booking confirmation.
• Payment Deadline: Full payment is strictly required by 16 September (1 week before the ceremony).
• Payment Method: EFT only (Credit Card payments are not accepted).
• Please note: Strict no payment, no entry policy.
• Refund Policy: All fees and costs related to entries, seats, and sponsorships are strictly non-refundable.

Yes, you can submit a previously entered campaign – just be sure to show any significant changes in the results, reach and coverage that indicates why the entry is different this year.

• 🔄 Entering One Campaign Into Multiple Categories

• Yes! You are welcome to enter the same campaign into more than one category. To make the process as smooth as possible, please follow these guidelines:

• Use a Single Entry Form: If you are submitting one campaign across multiple categories, you only need to use a single entry form. Simply list and highlight all the intended categories clearly on the form.

• Tailor Your Motivation: Do not just copy and paste the same information across multiple categories. Give each submission careful thought and provide a distinct reason why the campaign is uniquely relevant to each specific category entered.

• Highlight Category-Specific Data: Show measurable results and tailor your motivation for each category. Highlight specific data points or campaign elements that differ from one category to the next (e.g., focusing on ROI for one category and technical innovation for another).

• Provide a Benchmark: Give the judging panel a clear comparison or benchmark against which to measure the campaign. Highlight what makes the entry stand out in each category.

• Check the Criteria: Please note that certain categories have different judging criteria. Always review the specific guidelines listed at the bottom of the entry forms before submitting.

The 2026 finalists will be announced on Monday, 24th August, across social media and through various media releases.

The 2026 Awards Gala Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 23rd September at the newly refurbished NH Sandton. (The 2026 event will not be live-streamed) 

Who Can Enter?

The WesBank New Generation Awards celebrate digital excellence across all South African sectors. We invite entries from small, medium, and large organizations, including:

• Agencies & Networks: Network, independent, creative, advertising, and media agencies.
• Corporates & Brands: Corporate brands, public sector entities, and media owners.
• In-House Teams: Corporate marketing teams operating without an agency are strongly encouraged to submit their internal campaigns, apps, websites, and star performers directly.
• Creators & Tech Leaders: Marketers, creatives, developers, web designers, influencers, bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and community managers.
• Students: Currently enrolled students entering our dedicated student categories.

This Is Your Stage If You Have:

• Spearheaded high-ROI integrated campaigns
• Blended innovative technology and AI with human-centric storytelling
• Mastered social-first marketing, digital media, and web development
• Proven yourself as an outstanding individual leader or creator

Enter today and benchmark your success against South Africa's digital elites.

Please visit our News Page and Winners page.

Various sponsorship packages are available for the 2026 awards. Our sponsorship fees are highly competitive!

Packages Include:

• Platinum Headline Naming Sponsor, which carries naming rights to the awards for 12 months. (This package has already been secured by WesBank.)
• Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsorships.
• Brand Sponsorships.
• Category Sponsorships.
• Vehicle Brand Sponsorship.

To find out more, please email stephen@newgenawards.co.za

⚖️ Our Judging Process & Criteria

Once the submission window closes, all entries are compiled into their respective categories and divided equally among our panel of independent industry experts. To ensure absolute fairness and transparency, our evaluation process follows a strict, multi-tiered methodology:

• Balanced Evaluation: Each judge is responsible for scoring a specific number of entries and categories. Every submission is evaluated by at least four separate judges to ensure a fair and balanced weighting across the competition.
• The Black Onyx Panel: A separate, dedicated panel of approximately 10-15 judges who have not entered the awards evaluates the Black Onyx Award Categories. These judges have full visibility of all submissions across all categories to assess overall excellence and determine our top headline winners accurately.
• Conflict of Interest Policy: Integrity is paramount. If any of our judges or their agencies enter work into the awards, they are strictly barred from marking any category in which they or their clients have a submission.

📊 Scoring & The Core Criteria

Each entry is marked out of a possible 100% based on strict criteria that vary from category to category. While specific categories feature additional tailored criteria (detailed at the bottom of your entry forms), all submissions are scored against these six core pillars, each holding a different score value:

1. Strategy
2. Content
3. Creativity
4. Innovation
5. Coverage, Reach & Engagement
6. Results, Impact & ROI

🏆 Benchmarks for Success

• The Finalist Threshold: To be recognized as an official finalist, a submission must achieve a minimum score of 70%.
• The Podium Benchmarks: Over and above the finalist threshold, three distinct scoring benchmarks are in place. The highest-scoring entries within these tiers will determine the ultimate winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.

YES - R1,150 per entry - Student Group Category and R950.00 per entry - Individual Student Category

• Student entries will be judged separately against all other student entries from across the continent
• All student work should be submitted by the school, university or college representitives rather than individual students submitting their work directly.

• 📝 How to Enter: Step-by-Step Guide

• Follow these simple steps to prepare and submit your entries for the WesBank New Generation Awards:

• Step 1: Browse the Categories

• Click on the "View Categories" tab.

• Complete and submit the login form to unlock and view the full list of available categories.

• Select the specific category or sub-categories you wish to enter and carefully read through their descriptions.

• Step 2: Download Your Entry Forms

• Each category page contains a downloadable Microsoft Word entry form.

• 🛑 Pay Close Attention: Some categories feature unique judging criteria flagged explicitly at the bottom of the form. Always read these tailored judges' tips and criteria points before writing!

• 🏆 Black Onyx Categories: Please note that the Black Onyx Award Categories use different entry forms, which require more detailed, motivational content to support your submission.

• Step 3: Complete & Tailor Your Submission

• Fill out the form, ensuring you attach or embed all applicable links, videos, creative assets, and case studies to support your entry.

• Multi-Category Submissions: If you are entering the exact same campaign into multiple categories, you only need to use one entry form. Simply list your categories and clearly highlight the specific sections within the form that pertain to each individual category so the judges can evaluate them accurately.

• Step 4: Submit Your Work

• Once your entry forms are complete, email them directly to.

• Handling Large Files: Please deliver all large video files, heavy creatives, and extensive case studies via WeTransfer or Google Docs. You may also embed the links directly in your submission.

• 💡 Need more help? Check out our FAQ page for additional insider tips on crafting a winning entry!

2026 JURY MEMBERS:

Astrid Ascar, Chief Growth Officer at VML South Africa - Head Judge

Mondrē Bremner, Senior Manager: Digital Channels Strategy | Integrated Marketing & Experience at Nedbank

Thato Soato, Senior Specialist: Digital Marketing at Vodacom

Tristan Vogt, Head of Innovation at Ogilvy

Dashni Vilakazi, Managing Director at The MediaShop

Dani Morley, Executive Head, Growth: Shyft and Global Markets Retail at Standard Bank

Xolisa Koyana, Creative Director at Penquin

Barry Louzada, Founder & Managing Director at Mettlestate

Nicolas van Zyl-Smith, Founder & CEO at Naritive

Jacques Bezuidenhout, Equity Manager: Chocolate South and East Africa at Mondelēz International

Celia Collins, Commercial Officer & Digital Transformation at Omnicom Media

Yvette Gengan, Managing Director at Lucid Performance

Darren Morris, CEO at Lucky Hustle Agency

Courtney Chapple, Director of AI and New Business at Forge by Brave/Brave Group

Katie (Lu) Alomia, Fractional CMO

Lee Smith, Digital & AI Marketing Executive at RCL FOODS

Jeremy Crowder, Managing Partner at Dialogue

Zanele Zwane, Managing Director at HaveYouHeard Marketing Agency

Justine Nienaber, CEO at PUNKYSTARFISH

Jamie-Leigh Barnett, Director of Growth & Development at Algorithm

Merissa Himraj, Independent Media and Marketing Strategist 

Kyle Oosthuizen, CEO at Blue Robot Group

Kathryn McKay, Executive Creative Partner at Black&White (The Up&Up Group South Africa)

Tara Turkington, CEO at Flow Communications

Darren Leishman, Co-Founder & CEO at Spitfire Inbound

Ciarán McKivergan, Chief Creative Strategist, Visionary Founder at 8909 Digital 

Roxana Ravjee, Africa CEO at Havas

Lauren Dixon-Paver, Senior Social Art Director at BOUNDLESS

Duduzile Ngomane, Creative Director at CREACHA

Jenna Chisnall, Co-Founder & Director at Fenix Marketing 

Rob Garden, Creative & Communications Director at Mscsports 

Julia Ridderhof, Integrated Strategic Planner at Joe Public

To learn more about our esteemed judges, please visit our awards page.

2026 Ticket Fees: Prices Exclude VAT | To book your tickets, email stephen@newgenawards.co.za

• Standard Ticket: R3, 300
• Book 5 or more standard tickets and receive a 10% discunt:
• Tertiary Institutions: Lecturers and Staff: R2, 000
• Student Rate: R1, 000
• Ticket price includes: Priceless content | all-day refreshments | delicious breakfast | full buffet lunch | afternoon snacks | full-day parking.
• NO ONLINE TICKET SALES OR PAYMENTS: Payment Method: Standard EFT

We'll issue an invoice once you confirm the final ticket numbers. Full payment is required before the event (credit cards not accepted). No refunds for any fees. All delegate fees include 15% VAT, which international delegates can reclaim through their local VAT refund provider.