With a career spanning nearly two decades, Thembalethu Msibi, Co-Founder and Creative Partner of BlackSwan has built a reputation for creating work that is culturally rooted, strategically sharp and emotionally resonant. The iPendoring Awards has announced Msibi as Jury President for the 2026 awards programme, placing one of South Africa’s most respected purpose-driven creative leaders at the helm of this year’s adjudication process.
Through BlackSwan, she has led through-the-line campaigns for brands including Telkom, KFC, Absa, Clicks, South African Airways and the Joburg Film Festival, while helping establish the agency as one of the country’s most influential independent creative businesses.
Her appointment comes at an important moment in the 2026 awards programme, as entries remain open until 28 August 2026 and the industry continues to submit work that celebrates the depth and diversity of South African creativity.
‘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,’ said 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.
Speaking about the role, Msibi said, ‘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.
For more information and entry details, click here.
PENDORING
www.pendoring.co.za
