The annual survey is conducted by HDI Youth Consultancy, which polls more than seven thousand South African youths between the ages of eight and 23 on what they find on-trend and aspirational.
“The Sunday Times Gen Next survey is considered the leading barometer of youth sentiment in South Africa, and organisations are increasingly guided by the results in driving their youth marketing strategies forward. As a result, we’ve realised the need to extend the scope of the survey and a number of new categories were included in 2019 with the intention of increasing insights for marketers," said Reardon Sanderson, GM Group Sales & Marketing at Tiso Blackstar Group.
Fourteen new categories were introduced this year, including Coolest Online Fashion Store (Superbalist), Coolest Campaign Targeted at Youth (LoveLife), Coolest Food Delivery App (Mr D Food), Coolest Entertainment Channel (Cartoon Network DStv 301), Coolest Gaming Console (PlayStation 4 Pro), along with two personal brand categories: Coolest Politician (Nelson Mandela – current president Cyril Ramaphosa placed second), and Coolest Online Influencer (Bonang Matheba).
Brands that successfully maintained their number one position in 2019 include: FNB, Samsung, Mr Price, South African Airways, Colgate, Protea Hotels, Mall of Africa, Vodacom, KOO, Mercedes-Benz, CNA, Engen, Sun City, FIFA, Magnum, Trace Urban (DStv 325), Cartoon Network (DStv 301), YouTube, MetroFM, Top Gear, McDonald’s, Spur, Doritos, Coca-Cola, University of Cape Town (UCT), Pin Pop, Stimorol, Playgirl, Always, Dis-Chem, Avon, WhatsApp, Dove, Dark & Lovely, Nutella, Nivea, Rosebank College, Parmalat, Toys R Us, and the Sunday Times.
Fifteen of the 76 categories saw new winners since 2018.
Trevor Noah (Coolest Local Male Celebrity) and DJ Black Coffee (Coolest Local DJ) remain perennial favourites. However, fresh celebrity winners in 2019 include: Thuso Phala (Coolest Local Sportsperson), and Lady Zamar (Coolest Local Female Celebrity). The Queen was awarded as the Coolest Local TV Soap.
“Being in our fifteenth year of Gen Next, HDI is excited by the new categories and how the market is responding. The categories that excite us most include the Gaming Console/Computer Games category where, despite the global rise of Fortnite, Fifa still remains one of the most popular games in the eyes of SA’s youth. What we also found interesting was that when the youth were prompted to name their Coolest Online Store, the one that came out tops was Superbalist, while the rest seemed to be normal brick-and-mortar retailers,” says Bongani Chinkanda, CEO of HDI Youth Consultancy. “It’s similarly exciting to see that YouTube was voted as the Coolest Music Platform. It’s going to be interesting to watch how YouTube relates to platforms like MTV and Trace in the future. So, as we move forward and the new categories become more refined and defined, they’ll definitely become more compelling and insightful too.”
The polling results and analyses across all categories will be published in a supplement accompanying the Sunday Times edition on Youth Day, 16 June 2019.
Sunday Times Gen Next is presented in association with HDI Youth Consultancy, and partners Brand South Africa and Gautrain.
FNB
Capitec Bank
Standard Bank
Absa
Nedbank
African Bank
Old Mutual Bank
Al Baraka Bank
Habib Bank AG Zurich
Samsung
Apple iPhone
Huawei
Hisense
Sony
LG
Nokia
Mobicel
Blackberry
Mr Price
Sportscene
TotalSPORTS
Edgars
Woolworths
Truworths
Markhams
H&M
Identity
Cotton On
SAA (South African Airways)
Mango
BA (British Airways)
Safair
Kulula.com
Colgate
Aquafresh
Oral-B
Sensodyne
Close Up
Mentadent P
Pepsodent
Nike
adidas
Gucci
Kappa
Vans
Puma
Redbat
FILA
Jordan
Lacoste
Tropika
Nestlé Hot Chocolate
Milo
UltraMel Custard
Yogi Sip
Super M
Steri Stumpie
Mayo
Nesquik
Parmalat Everfresh
Protea Hotels
Sun International
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
City Lodge/Town Lodge/Road Lodge
Tsogo Sun
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Radisson
Just do it (Nike)
I'm lovin it (McDonald’s)
All in (adidas)
Have a break. Have a KitKat
So Good (KFC)
A taste for life (Spur)
Open Happiness (Coca-Cola)
Forever Faster (Puma)
Life's Good (LG)
Moving Forward (Standard Bank)
Mall of Africa
Sandton City
Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Mall of the South
V&A Waterfront
The Pavilion
Canal Walk
Maponya Mall
Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Galleria Mall
Superbalist
H&M
Zara
MRP
Zando
ASOS
Apple
Mercedes-Benz
BMW
Samsung
Google
Nike
adidas
Government
Gucci
Department of Health
Vodacom
Telkom/Telkom Mobile
Cell C
MTN
Virgin Mobile
KOO
Lucky Star
All Gold
Bull Brand
John West
Rhodes
Saldanha
Mercedes-Benz
BMW
Audi
Range Rover
Jaguar
Jeep
Volkswagen
Mini Cooper
Land Rover
Toyota
CNA
Game
Checkers
Pick n Pay
Waltons
PNA
Pep
Engen
Shell
Total
Caltex
Sasol
BP
Sun City
Gold Reef City
uShaka Marine World
Carnival City
The National Zoo
Bela-Bela (Warmbaths)
V & A Waterfront
Ster Kinekor
GrandWest Casino
Nu Metro
FIFA
Grand Theft Auto (GTA)
Subway Surfers
Candy Crush Saga
Need For Speed
Call of Duty
Minecraft
Fortnite
The Sims
Pac-Man
Cartoon Network (DStv 301)
Nickelodeon (DStv 305)
Disney Channel (DStv 303)
Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
TRACE Urban (DStv 325)
M-Net (DStv 101)
Channel O (DStv 320)
Disney XD (DStv 304)
SuperSport (DStv 200-238)
MTV Base (DStv 322)
Money
Car
Smart Phone
Laptop
Shopping Spree
House
Holiday
Cake
Gift Card
Gaming Console
God
Family
Parents
Music
Money
Phone
Car
Social Media
Internet
Television
Woolworths Food
Pick n Pay
Checkers
Makro
Game
Food Lovers Market
Spar
Shoprite
Boxer Superstores
Kitkat Cash & Carry
McDonald's
KFC
Burger King
Steers
Nando's
Debonairs
Chicken Licken
Mochachos
Fishaways
Fish & Chip Co.
Spur
Mugg & Bean
Nando's
Wimpy
Ocean Basket
RocoMamas
Panarottis
Mochachos
John Dory's
Burger Rack
Powerade
Red Bull Energy Drink
Energade
Dragon Energy Drink
Monster Energy Drink
Play Energy Drink
Switch Energy Drink
Jungle Energy Bar
FUTURELIFE
Score Energy Drink
Doritos
Lay's
Simba Chips
Pringles
Oreo
NikNaks
Fritos
Oozies
Snak Naks
Chippa Naks
Coca-Cola
Fanta
Appletiser
Sprite
Iron Brew
Sparletta Creme Soda
Twist
Stoney Ginger Beer
Pepsi
Twizza
University of Cape Town (UCT)
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
UNISA
University of Pretoria (TUKS)
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
University of Western Cape (UWC)
Stellenbosch University (Maties)
North-West University (NWU)
Pin Pop
Jelly Tots
Smarties
Maynard Jelly Babies
Mentos
Fizzer
Maynard Wine Gums
Smoothies
Yogueta
Cadbury Eclairs
BARONE
Lindt LINDOR
KitKat
Lunch Bar
Ferrero Rocher
Cadbury Dairy Milk
Cadbury Oreo Bubbly
Aero
P.S.
5Star
YouTube
DStv
Netflix
Showmax
GooglePlay
Cell C Black
Amazon
Bonang Matheba
Somizi
Kim Kardashian
Lasizwe
Kefilwe Mabote
Mihlali Ndamase
Stimorol
Orbit
Mentos
Infinity (Stimorol)
Chappies
Clorets
Airwaves
Dentyne
Big Time
Beechies
PlayStation 4 Pro
Xbox One X
Xbox 360 E
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo 3DS XL
Super NES Classic
Nintendo Wii U
Playboy
NIVEA Men
English Blazer
AXE
Shield
adidas
BOSS by Hugo Boss
BRUT
Old Spice
Dove
Playgirl
Dove
NIVEA
Avon
adidas
Pink Happiness
Oh So Heavenly
Shower to Shower
Yardley
Shield
Nelson Mandela
Cyril Ramaphosa
Julius Malema
Jacob Zuma
Fikile Mbalula
Musi Maimane
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
Samsung
Apple Mac
Lenovo
Hisense
Sony
HP
LG
Microsoft
Dell
Acer
Sunday Times
Sunday Sun
City Press
Soccer Laduma
Saturday Star
Rapport
Sunday World
Sunday Tribune
Magnum
Oreo
Nestle Bar-One
Polar Ice Cream
Nestlé King Cone
Cornetto
Nestlé Country Fresh
Ola Paddle Pop
Nestlé Farmhouse
LoveLife
Save the Rhino
Speak Out
Soul City
Soul Buddyz
YES4Youth
Community Work Programme
Harambee
NYDA
Aware.org
TRACE Urban (DStv 325)
Disney Channel (DStv 303)
M-Net Movies All Stars (DStv 111)
SuperSport (DStv 200-238)
Cartoon Network (DStv 301)
Nickelodeon (DStv 305)
Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)
Studio Universal ( DStv 112)
Channel O (DStv 320)
M-Net (DStv 101)
TRACE Urban (DStv 325)
Channel O (DStv 320)
MTV Base (DStv 322)
MTV (DStv 130)
TRACE Africa (DStv 326)
Mzanzi Magic Music (DStv 321)
Soundcity (DStv 327)
VH1 Classic (DStv 323)
K.C Undercover
Lockdown
The Big Bang Theory
Ridiculousness
The Vampire Diaries
Game of Thrones
The Flash
Teen Wolf
How to get away with Murder
Grey's Anatomy
Add Hope (KFC)
Khumbul'ekhaya
Speak Out
Save the Rhino
Soul Buddyz
Food for Life
Childline
LoveLife
Soul City
Gift of the Giver Foundation
Mr. Bean
The Regular Show
Tom and Jerry
Spongebob SquarePants
Teen Titans
The Simpsons
Supa Strikas
Sofia the First
Family Guy
Power Rangers
The Queen
Uzalo
7de Laan
Empire
Skeem Saam
IsiBaya
The River
Scandal
Generations: The Legacy
Imbewu The Seed
Cartoon Network (DStv 301)
Disney (DStv 303)
Nickelodeon (DStv 305)
Boomerang (DStv 302)
Disney XD (DStv 304)
Disney Junior (DStv 309)
NickTOONS (DStv 308)
Jim Jam (DStv 310)
Nick Jr. (DStv 307)
eToonz (DStv 311 and eTV)
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Television
Twitter
Radio
Billboards
Print
YouTube
JOOX
iTunes / Apple Music
Google Play Store
Musica
MP3 Juices
Game
Tubidy
SoundCloud
Spotify
Metro FM
East Coast Radio
Ukhozi FM
5FM
947
Jacaranda FM
Lesedi FM
Jozi FM
Umhlobo Wenene FM
KFM
Top Gear
Car
True Love
Drum
YOU
Move!
Women's Health
Speed & Sound
People
Bona
True Love
Drum
Women's Health
YOU
Move!
Top Gear
Woman & Home
People
Cosmopolitan
Car
Top Gear
Car
Speed & Sound
Men's Health
Laduma
True Love
Drum
Move!
You
Bona
Nestlé Milo
Kellogg's Corn Flakes
Kellogg's Coco Pops
Jungle Oats
Bokomo WEET-BIX
Kellogg's All Bran Flakes
Nestlé BAR-ONE
FUTURELIFE
Kellogg's Rice Krispies
Nestlé Cheerios
Always
Kotex
Stayfree
Li-Lets
Libresse
GynaGuard
Comfitex
Femagene
Dis-Chem
Woolworths
Clicks
Avon
Edgars
American Swiss
The Body Shop
Foschini
MAC Store
Lovisa
Avon
Revlon
POND's
MAC
L'Oréal
Yardley
Maybelline
Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner
Huda Beauty
Essence
WhatsApp
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Tik Tok
Facebook Messenger
Snapchat
Twitter
Google+
Musical.ly
Dove
Protex
Lux
NIVEA
Dettol
Lifebuoy
Sunlight
Johnson & Johnson
Savlon
Sanex
Dark & Lovely
Dove
TRESemmé
Avon
Just for Kids
Head & Shoulders
Sofn'free
Easy Waves
L'Oréal
Sta-Sof-Fro
Nutella
Nando's Sauces
Steer's Sauce
Melrose Cheese Spread
Rama
ALL GOLD Tomato Sauce
Black Cat Peanut Butter
YUM YUM
Stork
Flora
Candy Crush Saga
Subway Surfers
FIFA Mobile
Bubble Saga
Pokemon GO
The Sims Mobile
Clash of Clans
Thuso Phala
AB de Villiers
Caster Semenya
Percy Tau
Simphiwe Tshabalala
Wayde van Niekerk
Chad Le Clos
Itumeleng Khune
Kharma Billiat
Black Coffee
Prince Kaybee
DJ Fresh
DJ Tira
DJ Maphorisa
DJ Zinhle
Dladla Mshunqisi
DJ Kent
DJ Sbu
DJ Jaivane
Trevor Noah
Nasty C
AKA
Casper Novest
Kwesta
Mlindo
Sjava
A-Reece
Emtee
DJ Tira
Lady Zamar
Minnie Dlamini
Babes Wadumo
Amanda Black
Pearl Thusi
Bonang Matheba
Fifi Cooper
Charlize Theron
Boity Thulo
Busiswa Gqulu
Doctor
Actor
Engineer
Pilot
Singer
Graphic Designer
Software Engineer
Accountant
Investment Banker
Nike
adidas
Vans
Gucci
Jordan
Puma
Kappa
LACOSTE
Carvela
Converse
NIVEA
Dove
Lux
Vaseline
Avon
POND'S
Johnson & Johnson
E45
Oh So Heavenly
Epimax
Rosebank College
College of Cape Town
Varsity College
Damelin College
South West Gauteng College
Boston City Campus & Business
False Bay College
Northlink College
INTEC College
Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
Parmalat
Yogi-Sip
Woolworths Brand
Danone Nutriday
Clover Classic
Clover Fruits of The Forest
Toys R Us
The Crazy Store
Game
ToyZone
Toy Kingdom
Shoprite
Mr D Food
Uber EATS
Eat 24
OrderIn
Nike
Samsung
adidas
Apple
Gucci
Kappa
FILA
Vans
Coca-Cola
Jordan
