Real Talk Debate - Johannesburg : Is the Industry Ready for Africa’s Gen Z Audience?

Join us in Johannesburg for an unmissable debate hosted by Women in Marketing (WiM) Africa - where South Africa’s brightest marketing, advertising, and communications minds come together to tackle one of the most urgent questions shaping the industry today: Is the industry truly ready to engage Africa’s Gen Z audience?

Where

Kantar - Johannesburg Office

When

16th September 2025
9am - 12.30pm SAST

With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25 (UN, 2019), and digital access growing rapidly across the continent, Gen Z is not just the future—they are the now. They’re digitally native, socially conscious, and expect bold, authentic, and inclusive brand experiences. This live, thought-provoking debate will explore whether today’s brands and agencies are equipped to meet their expectations—or if we’re still missing the mark.

This high-profile debate will explore both sides of the argument:
Are brands innovating fast enough to meet Gen Z where they are?
Or are outdated strategies and deep-rooted industry challenges holding us back?

Expect sharp insights, opposing views, and audience interaction in an exciting format designed to challenge conventional thinking and spark new ideas.

Who Should Attend:
This event is designed for senior and C-suite professionals in marketing, advertising, media, and communications across Africa. Whether you’re client-side, agency-based, or part of the broader creative economy, this is your opportunity to engage with industry peers, challenge perspectives, and shape how we engage the continent’s most powerful generation of consumers.

WiM Africa welcomes everyone - women, men and non-binary individuals - who champions bold thinking and inclusive leadership. This event centres the voices of women redefining marketing across Africa.

Why Attend:

Gain fresh, practical insights into engaging Gen Z in meaningful, culturally relevant ways.
Learn how top brands and creatives are navigating digital disruption and influencer-led storytelling.
Hear compelling arguments for and against the industry’s readiness, then decide where you stand.
Network with a high-calibre audience of senior professionals from South Africa and beyond.
Be part of an influential community driving forward inclusion, creativity, and innovation.

Opening Statements: Speakers argue for and against the motion: Is the industry ready for Africa’s Gen Z audience?
Moderated Discussion: The moderator will dive deeper into each side’s arguments, challenge assumptions, and provoke new thinking.
Live Audience Interaction: Participate in real-time polls and engage directly in a lively Q&A session.
Networking & Connection: Before and after the debate, enjoy time to meet and mingle with fellow industry leaders over drinks and refreshments.

Is the Industry Ready for Africa’s Gen Z Audience?

Key Themes

Digital Transformation & Platforms: From TikTok and WhatsApp to gaming and AI-driven tools, how Gen Z’s mobile-first, always-on behaviours are redefining engagement and reshaping the marketing playbook.

Authenticity, Trust & Storytelling: Beyond box-ticking: how brands can build lasting trust with Gen Z through genuine storytelling, transparency, and navigating purpose fatigue in the era of cancel culture and greenwashing.

Inclusivity & the Gender Lens: The demand for campaigns that go beyond surface representation to authentically engage diverse audiences — with a critical look at whether young African women are truly being centred in brand narratives.

Purpose & Cultural Relevance: How Gen Z expect brands to align with their social, cultural, and environmental priorities — and whether purpose-led campaigns still resonate or risk losing impact.

Infrastructure, Access & Equity: How data costs, rural/urban divides, and uneven digital access shape Gen Z engagement — and what marketers must do to avoid leaving swathes of this generation behind.

Influence, Power & Commerce: How Gen Z are not just consumers but creators driving culture and movements — while balancing values with value in their spending power and brand loyalty.