It’s bolder. It’s bigger. It’s dripping with culture. As Iwisa No.1 marks 70 years of filling South African homes, its Fills Bold Designer Search returns for 2026 – bigger and better than ever – asking the country’s boldest young creatives to help fill the brand’s next 70 years. The winning designer is set to dress the brand itself, and every prize puts real tools in young creatives’ hands.
South Africa’s iconic maize brand, Iwisa No.1, has thrown open the doors to the 2026 edition of its Fills Bold Designer Search Competition – and this year the stakes have never been higher. Marking the brand’s 70th birthday, the competition returns bigger, bolder and more purpose-led than ever, inviting the country’s next generation of design talent to reimagine what “homegrown” looks like in lux sports-streetwear – and to fill it with their own stories.
“For seven decades, Iwisa No.1 has filled tummies, homes and lives with nourishment. Now we’re filling the future – with boldness,” says Phumzile Nhlapo, Premier Senior Brand Manager: Consumer Staples. “This year’s Iwisa No.1 Fills Bold Designer Search doesn’t just celebrate young talent: it backs it. We’re using our heritage as a launchpad, inviting young creatives to set the scene for our brand for the next 70 years.”
She adds that as a brand, Iwisa No.1 has always been future-facing and purpose-driven. “While we have been in existence since 1956, our promise of building communities to make everyday people’s everyday lives better remains just as relevant today as it was when we first launched. We’re committed to remaining timeless – consistently delivering value across generations while celebrating the richness of South Africa’s heritage.
“The Fills Bold Designer Search is an extension of that promise: empowering young next-generation creatives to express themselves, connect with their culture and shape a bold new future. This is us as a legacy brand showing up for our youth – handing them the canvas and asking them to fill it.”
Open to young South Africans aged between 18 and 35, this year’s Designer Search is bigger, bolder, and more culturally driven – celebrating the next generation of creators through fashion, storytelling and self-expression. “We’re challenging participants to create standout designs that merge Iwisa No.1’s legacy, community spirit and proudly South African identity with contemporary sports-inspired street style,” she adds. “We’re looking for an exclusive sports streetwear collection inspired by the brand’s rich heritage and modern youth culture; essentially a complete outfit set including a collared jersey, straight-leg jogger; bucket hat; tote bag and socks.”
The headline prize is also legacy-creating in its own right – unlike anything the competition has offered before. “The winning creative will design the official Iwisa No.1 Promoter Uniform; putting their creativity on the ground, in market and on the brand itself,” shares Nhlapo. “This will ensure that we give the young creatives of South Africa more than a moment: we’re giving them proof of our commitment to their futures. Winning the Iwisa No 1 Fills Bold Designer Search 2026 means your work doesn’t just get seen; it gets worn by the brand in the real world – adding to your portfolio in real-time, in real-life. That’s what backing talent actually looks like.”
Apart from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the winner will also walk away with a MacBook Pro (valued at up to R35 000) and R10 000 in cash. Second prize is an equally compelling iPad (valued at up to R15 000), an Apple Pencil (valued at up to R2 000) and R5 000 in cash. The third-place winner will receive a set of noise-cancelling earphones and R5 000 in cash. “Every one of these prizes is a working tool that can be used to further future journeys,” notes Nhlapo. “This is ‘fills bold’ in action: enabling their work to continue long after the competition closes.”
Entries are now open – with the closing date 17 September 2026. Full entry guidelines, templates and terms and conditions are available at https://qr.premierfmcg.com/website/2000 and interested young creatives can also access the competition through Iwisa No 1’s social media.
Adding peer-led credibility to the search, last year’s Designer Search winner Best Ncube will return in 2026 as one of the competition’s lead ambassadors – living proof that the competition is well worth entering, and that Iwisa No.1 builds talent rather than borrowing it. (Keep watching this space!)
“Iwisa No.1 has always believed that young South Africans deserve a real seat at the table – and that their work deserves a place on the shelves, on the streets and in our brand’s future. We have spent 70 years filling South Africa’s homes; now we’re asking South Africa’s boldest young designers to help us fill the next 70. This is our boldest invitation yet. If you’re ready, the canvas is yours,” Nhlapo concludes.
