1. Promoter
The Student Pitching Competition & Bursary is presented by FAME Week Africa, in partnership with SAE Institute South Africa.
Participation in the Competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
2. Purpose
The Competition aims to identify and support aspiring creative talent by providing one deserving winner with an SAE Institute bursary at the Cape Town Campus to pursue studies within the creative industries.
3. Eligibility
To enter, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric (or an equivalent qualification).
- Be eligible and available to commence studies during the 2027 academic year.
- Be approximately 25 years of age or younger at the date entries close.
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing a career within the creative industries.
- Meet SAE Institute's admission requirements for the chosen programme.
- Be available to participate in all stages of the Competition, including mentorship sessions and the live final at FAME Week Africa.
4. Competition Timeline
FAME Week Africa reserves the right to amend the timeline if necessary.
August 2026
- Competition officially opens 18 August 2026
September 2026
- Submissions close 18 September 2026
- Finalists announced 28 September 2026
October 2026
- Finalists participate in a mentorship programme.
- Live pitching final takes place during FAME Week Africa in Cape Town from 28 to 30 October 2026.
5. How to Enter
Applicants must:
- Complete the official online application form.
- Submit all required supporting documentation.
- Submit a pitch in the format specified by the Competition organisers before the closing date.
- Ensure that all information submitted is accurate and truthful.
Late, incomplete or fraudulent entries will not be considered.
6. Judging Process
Entries will be evaluated by an independent panel appointed by FAME Week Africa and SAE.
Judging may consider:
- Creativity and originality
- Storytelling ability
- Passion and commitment
- Clarity of vision
- Communication and presentation skills
- Potential for future success in the creative industries
The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. Finalists
Selection of Finalists
Following the evaluation of all eligible entries, up to five (5) finalists will be selected to progress to the mentorship and live pitching stages of the Competition. FAME Week Africa and SAE reserve the right to select fewer than five finalists if, in the opinion of the judging panel, an insufficient number of entries meet the required standard of quality. The judges' decision regarding the selection of finalists is final.
Selected finalists will:
- Participate in mentorship sessions prior to the live final.
- Be required to attend FAME Week Africa in person.
- Deliver a live pitch before the judging panel.
Failure to attend any required activity may result in disqualification.
8. Prize
The winner will receive an SAE Institute South Africa bursary for the Cape Town Campus.
The exact bursary awarded will be determined after the winner has been selected and assessed by SAE Institute, taking into consideration:
- The winner's current educational background.
- Admission requirements.
- Career aspirations.
- The programme most appropriate to their academic needs.
The bursary may therefore consist of, but is not limited to:
- A one-year programme;
- A diploma or degree programme;
- A postgraduate qualification; or
- Another approved programme offered by SAE Institute.
The bursary may therefore consist of, but is not limited to:
- Higher Certificate (NQF 5, one-year programme);
- A Bachelor of Arts degree (NQF 7, three-year programme);
- A Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Media Production qualification (NQF 8, one-year programme)
The bursary:
- Is not transferable.
- Cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Cannot be sold or assigned.
- Is subject to SAE Institute's admission policies and academic regulations.
9. Additional Costs
The bursary does not include:
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Meals
- Visa costs
- Personal equipment
- Study materials
- Living expenses
Any additional costs remain the responsibility of the winner.
10. Intellectual Property
Applicants retain ownership of their original ideas and submissions.
By entering, applicants grant FAME Week Africa and SAE Institute a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:
- Use submitted material for judging purposes.
- Promote the Competition.
- Publish excerpts, images, names and recordings relating to the Competition across print, digital and social media.
No commercial exploitation of entrants' work will occur without separate written agreement.
11. Publicity
Finalists and the winner agree to participate in reasonable publicity, interviews, photography and video recording relating to the Competition without additional compensation.
12. Personal Information
Personal information collected will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and used solely for purposes relating to the administration of the Competition.
13. Disqualification
FAME Week Africa and SAE reserve the right to disqualify any entrant who:
- Provides false or misleading information.
- Plagiarises another person's work.
- Attempts to manipulate the Competition.
- Fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
- Behaves in a manner that brings the Competition, FAME Week Africa or SAE Institute into disrepute.
14. Changes or Cancellation
FAME Week Africa and SAE reserve the right to amend, suspend or cancel the Competition should circumstances beyond their reasonable control make this necessary.
15. Limitation of Liability
FAME Week Africa and SAE shall not be liable for:
- Lost, delayed or incomplete applications.
- Technical failures affecting entries.
- Travel disruptions.
- Any loss, damage or injury arising from participation in the Competition, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
16. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting an application, entrants acknowledge that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions in full.