Ads of the World is a popular place for researching international global advertising. creatives from all around the world come through the site to seek inspiration and take a look at the best of the best advertising campaigns from around the world. We couldn’t help ourselves we just had to see what campaigns are coming out of Africa.

So here is a selection of what we found… the best and worst. (they are predominantly form S. Africa, we would like to see more from the rest of Africa) Send us your suggestions for ads!

Kaya FM 95.9: Fist

16 June 1976 marks the day South African school children from Soweto stood up in protest against the Bantu education act. Due to this event, June 16th is now celebrated as South Africa’s youth day, which commemorates the bravery and the death of many South African children including Hector Pieterson. The raised fist, to this day has been a symbol of Power “Amandla.”

Advertising Agency: The Firehouse, Johannesburg, South Africa
Executive Creative Director: Steven Richards
Creative Director: Rowan John
Art Director: Ryan Liedeman
Copywriter: Tamara Kotelo
Model Maker: Ryan Liedeman
Photographer: Vanessa Grobler
Published: June 2009

Vodacom: We’ve been having it

KFC SA: Head

Advertising Agency: Ogilvy Johannesburg, South Africa
Creative Directors: Fran Luckin, Graham Lamont
Art Director: Peter Little
Copywriter: Sanele Ngubane
Other additional credits: Tsakane Mhangwani, Sithabile Maphumulo, Thabang Butelezi
Aired: January 2009

Salvation Army: AWB Uniform

“Any old clothes will do.
You wouldn’t be caught dead in them but, for a homeless person, they could mean the difference between life and death. Please donate your unwanted clothes to the homeless this winter.”

Advertising Agency: Lobedu Leo Burnett, Johannesburg, South Africa
Creative Director: Vanessa Pearson
Copywriter: Angela Collins
Art Director: Yvonne Hall
Photographer: Clive Stewart

Advertising Agency: Jupiter Drawing Room, Cape Town, South Africa
Creative Director: Livio Tronchin
Art Director: Carl Willoughby
Copywriter: Ross Chowles
Production Company: Sub urban, Johannesburg, South Africa
Production Company Website: www.suburban.tv

Production Company Creatives: Damion Swan, Candice Moir, Brennan Lewis

Aired: November 2007

Dreamfields: Plastic bag

“This is a soccer ball or plastic bag as it is more commonly known. Right now, you are holding a part of someone’s dream in your hands, the only dream some children have to play around with on dusty township fields. A plastic bag like this one is filled with more bags and then tied with string, until it resembles a ball. And just like a real soccer ball, it is kicked and passed around by bright-eyed children with hope in their hearts. Think of how many stars have gone unnoticed, all because they didn’t have access to basic facilities. The Dreamfields Project aims to turn dreams into reality by building at least 24 beautifully turfed soccer pitches in disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Because if we’re going to bring dreams to life, let them be real, and not made out of plastic.”

Advertising Agency: BBDO, Cape Town, South Africa
Creative Director: Ivan Johnson
Art Director: Quentin Arendse
Copywriter: Hilton Mashonga
Photographer: David Prior
Other additional credits: Clinton Mintri
Published: September 2008