The Media Online’s weekly column delivering news of award wins, entries, competitions, dates to note and winners in the media.
5FM jocks bag four nominations at SA Dance Music Awards
5FM is celebrating major recognition for South African dance culture, with two of the station’s best-known names – DJ Tshepi and Das Kapital – earning nominations at the South African Dance Music Awards.
DJ Tshepi received nominations for Best Dance Music Radio Show, Best Radio DJ and Best Female DJ, while Das Kapital was nominated for Best Dance Music Radio Show.
The South African Dance Music Awards recognise musical excellence and pioneering spirit within the dance music industry, celebrating artists who have pushed boundaries and set new standards of innovation and creativity.
Every Saturday from 19:00 to 22:00, DJ Tshepi hosts Piano Plug on 5FM, an Amapiano-focused show featuring exclusive unreleased tracks from some of the country’s biggest DJs.
On Friday nights from 22:00 to 01:00, Das Kapital hosts In Das We Trust, 5FM’s long-running showcase of South African and global dance music.
Masi Mdingane, business manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, said the nominations reflect the station’s continued commitment to dance music and youth culture.
Buddy Learning founder Tshaamano Mabuba crowned winner of Jacaranda FM’s Her Perfect Pitch
Tshaamano Mabuba, founder of education technology company Buddy Learning, has been named the winner of the 2026 edition of Jacaranda FM’s Her Perfect Pitch, the station’s flagship campaign supporting women-led businesses.
Mabuba was selected from hundreds of entrants for her EdTech platform, which aims to reduce financial and technological barriers to academic support.
As the winner, she receives R500 000 worth of advertising on Jacaranda FM, including the conceptualisation and production of a radio advert, as well as digital promotion across the station’s platforms. She will also receive R20 000 in cash from First For Women, R5 000 from SPAR, and business support and mentorship from The Platinum Club.
Vuyani Dombo, managing director of Jacaranda FM, said the campaign is about creating meaningful opportunities for women entrepreneurs already making a difference through their businesses.
Thandeka Ngcongo, founder of Orchid Medical, was named first runner-up, while Zulfa Nkosi, founder of Zulfa’s Glamour Girls Swimming Academy, took third place.
Moxii Africa marks a decade of Isu Elihle with 2026 Alumni Competition
Moxii Africa is celebrating 10 years of the Isu Elihle Awards with the launch of a special alumni competition for child-focused journalists who have participated in the programme since its launch in 2016.
The Isu Elihle Alumni Competition 2026 celebrates a decade of journalism that puts African children first. Since its launch, the awards — named after the isiZulu phrase meaning “great idea” — have become one of the continent’s leading platforms for ethical, child-centred storytelling, awarding more than R350 000 in prize money over the past decade.
The competition was open exclusively to previous top-three finalists from any Isu Elihle Awards cycle between 2016 and 2025.
Following the announcement, the three finalists took part in an editorial pitch session on 18 September 2026. The overall winner will be announced on 1 October 2026 and will receive R20 000.
The Mark Awards winners announced
The Mark Awards 2026 announced its winners on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at La Roche Estate in Franschhoek, Western Cape.
According to organiser Herman Manson, this year’s winners demonstrate how specialist expertise, measurable return on investment and outstanding execution are increasingly interconnected across South African marketing.
Major winners include:
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Agency of the Year (Medium): Halo
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Agency of the Year (Small): Retroviral
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Ken Preston Trophy (Best Overall Performance): Halo
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Design Best of Show: Machine_ for Spotify (Don’t. Stop. The. Music.)
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Strategy Best of Show: Alkemi Collective for The Melrose Gallery
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Impact & Purpose Best of Show: Retroviral x Faith & Fear for Profmed (Findr)
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Technology Best of Show: Connect for Lexus South Africa
Firstwatch Whisky earns silver at World Whisky Masters 2026
South African whisky brand Firstwatch Whisky has won a Silver medal in the Blended category at The Spirits Business World Whisky Masters 2026, adding another international accolade to one of Edward Snell & Co.’s largest brands.
The award follows the brand’s gold medal at the competition in 2022.
Shaun Appel, senior brand manager for the Brown Spirits portfolio at Edward Snell & Co., said the award reinforces Firstwatch Whisky’s reputation for delivering quality at an accessible price.
The World Whisky Masters forms part of The Spirits Business’ Global Spirits Masters Competitions, with entries judged through independent blind tastings by industry experts.
AIBs 2026 shortlist celebrates journalism from 22 countries
The Association for International Broadcasting has announced the shortlist for the AIBs 2026, its annual international awards for journalism and factual production.
More than 70 broadcasters and production companies from 22 countries are represented across the shortlist, with entries spanning video, audio and digital platforms.
The shortlisted work includes breaking and continuing news coverage, investigative journalism, domestic and international affairs, arts and culture, health and social issues, sustainability, innovative factual productions and short features. The awards also recognise outstanding journalists, presenters, channels and production companies.
The winners will be announced at the AIBs Gala on Friday, 20 November 2026, at the Park Hyatt London River Thames, hosted by Maria Ramos of TRT World.
