Effie College Announces 2026 Nedbank Challenge Winners

The 2026 Effie College Nedbank Challenge has concluded with Women in S.P.A.M. from the University of Cape Town (UCT) taking top honours.

The competition attracted 19 student teams from five South African tertiary institutions, reflecting the growing reach of Effie College. Now in its second year, the programme continues to demonstrate the value of connecting emerging marketing talent with real business challenges, experienced industry professionals and the principles of marketing effectiveness.

Following a rigorous two-stage judging process, the finalists presented their thinking directly to senior Nedbank marketers on 19 October 2026, when the final rankings were determined.

The 2026 Nedbank Challenge Winners are:

Gold: Women in S.P.A.M. – UCT (Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Marketing)
Ammaarah Pilodia, Natasha Nathoo, Zoe Fataar and Keesha Petersen.

Silver: NedNext – AAA School of Advertising, Johannesburg (Second year)
Refilwe Mohlala, Tayla Cooper and Khanyisani Dlongolo.

Bronze: Team Vectra – Vega Emeris, Johannesburg (Third year)
Blessing Mtetwa, Aliza Cobb, Buhle Sambumbu, Nyiko Siwele and Gabriella De Averio.

From classroom thinking to industry scrutiny

The challenge ran from 7 August to 7 September and saw students tasked with developing strategic and creative responses to a live Nedbank business brief, guided by the globally recognised Effie Framework for Marketing Effectiveness.

The 19 written submissions were evaluated by a senior panel of marketing and communications professionals, applying Effie's effectiveness principles to assess the quality of the students' strategic and creative thinking.

Four teams were shortlisted to progress to the next stage.

The Round 1 judging panel comprised:

•                  Mogorosi Mashilo - Founder and Director, TrendER

•                  Danny De Nobrega - CEO, Kilmer&Cruise

•                  Akona Golimp - Strategic Planner, Joe Public

•                  Reshma Lakha Singh - Head of Marketing, University of the Witwatersrand

•                  Samuel Mokhele - Independent Creative Director and Founder of On 35 Holdings

•                  Cleo Campbell - Head of Media & Creative Capabilities, SAB (AB InBev)

•                  Zayd Abrahams - Zinc Consulting

The four shortlisted teams were then assessed by a Nedbank panel to establish which three teams would proceed to the final presentations. 

The judges panel comprised:

•                  Tebogo Motsepe – Executive Head: Marketing Strategy at GMCA NEDBANK    

•                  Tumisang Matubatuba - Senior Marketing Manager: Brand Strategy

•                  Mondre Bremner – Senior Manager: Digital Channels Strategy

•                  Modiegi Mulaudzi – Head: Marketing Operations and Strategy

•                  Refilwe Magano – Head: Corporate and Investment Banking Marketing

•                  Nomthandazo Mbatha - Nedbank Africa Regions Senior Marketing Manager

The finalists had just two days to prepare before presenting their recommendations directly to Nedbank at Joe Public in Johannesburg, which hosted the concluding event. The Nedbank panel determined the final rankings, with Zayd Abrahams facilitating the judging discussions.

In addition to receiving Nedbank Avo vouchers and Effie College certificates, the top three teams were treated to a tour of Joe Public. The experience offered students a valuable glimpse into the working environment of a leading creative agency and the professional world they are preparing to enter.

“Effie College is about teaching the discipline of effectiveness from the outset,” says Gillian Rightford, ACA Executive Director for Effie South Africa. “Students learn to apply the globally recognised Effie Framework for Marketing Effectiveness to a real business challenge, connecting clear objectives, sound strategy and creative thinking with the results they would expect to achieve. The opportunity to present and defend that work before experienced marketers is invaluable. It is also a powerful example of how brands such as Nedbank can help build our industry's future talent.”

For Nedbank, its continued sponsorship of Effie College represents more than an investment in future talent. By providing the business brief and participating directly in the adjudication process, the bank gains access to fresh strategic perspectives from emerging marketers, while engaging with students who may become the industry's future professionals.

The partnership also demonstrates the value that sponsoring brands can gain from meaningful participation in Effie College. It offers an opportunity to challenge conventional thinking, engage directly with emerging talent and contribute to developing a stronger pipeline of effectiveness-focused marketers.

“Nedbank is proud to support Effie College in nurturing the next generation of marketing talent,” says Refilwe Magano, Head of Marketing CIB, Nedbank. “The calibre of thinking presented this year was impressive and reinforces our confidence in the future of the industry. It was encouraging to see emerging marketers combining creativity and strategic thinking with a clear understanding of effectiveness and measurable impact.”

With five institutions participating in this year's programme, namely UCT, UJ, NWU, AAA School of Advertising and Vega Emeris, Effie College continues to strengthen its connections with South Africa's academic and marketing communities.

The Nedbank Challenge is one of two live brand briefs featured in 2026, with the second, sponsored by Chivas Regal, heading into judging in November.

For more information visit the Effie South Africa website at https://www.effie.org/partners/south-africa/ or visit www.acasa.co.za.

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