Johannesburg, South Africa – In a world where innovation begins with imagination, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continues to empower the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and creators through its 18th annual Dream Car Art Contest. With the overarching mission to “Produce Happiness for All,” the initiative reflects Toyota’s belief in creativity as a catalyst for progress—and this year’s national winners are a testament to that vision.
Running from December 2024 through February 2025, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invited children under the age of 15 to “Draw Your Dream, Drive The Future.” The response was overwhelming: more than 18,000 entries poured in from across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
The contest not only celebrates artistic talent but also encourages children to visualise a better, more sustainable world through mobility. “The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is a global platform that showcases children’s ideas that we believe can transform the future of mobility,” says Tasneem Lorgat, General Manager of Marketing Communications at TSAM. “Through their remarkable artwork, we tap into a wellspring of creativity that holds real potential for shaping tomorrow’s world.”
Meet the 2025 National Champions
Among thousands of entries, three young South African artists took top honours in their respective categories and will represent the country at the international finals in Japan:
- Under 8 Years: Mohamed wowed judges with his iSmart Pro, a dream car designed to deliver books and stationery to children worldwide, making quality education accessible for all.
- 8–11 Years: Makenna’s Save Our Oceans car, which cleans the ocean and turns waste into bubbles, earned her the top spot with its clever, eco-conscious concept.
- 12–15 Years: Blake’s Travelator imagines a car that journeys between dimensions, transporting passengers from a monochrome world into a vibrant, cartoon-like universe—an ode to the transformative power of imagination.
Celebrating Creativity Across the Spectrum
While the three national champions lead the charge to Japan, 12 more standout entries secured top-five placements in each age category, each one reflecting bold, inventive visions:
Category 1: Under 8 Years
- 2nd: Arnez – Dinoyota Power
- 3rd: Himaal – Space Mobeel
- 4th: Scarlett – Toyota Scar 4.0
- 5th: Atarah – Fun On-The-Go
Category 2: 8–11 Years
- 2nd: Aradhiya – Toyota Eco-Guardian
- 3rd: Yashri – Vac-Spray Yota
- 4th: Celestino – T BUG Pollution Concept
- 5th: Nkanyezi – Pollution is no more
Category 3: 12–15 Years
- 2nd: Cydan – BEE ECO
- 3rd: Vince – Sigma Force Field
- 4th: Afroz – Deep Sea Ventures
- 5th: Lienka – Driving Under Water
To reward their visionary efforts, winners received prizes ranging from gaming consoles and laptops to tablets and vouchers. First-place winners also received a 3D model of their dream car, bringing their creative concepts to life in tangible form.
Recognising the Role of Schools
The contest also honoured schools that actively championed student participation. Out of 231 participating schools, Addington Primary School took top honours with 1,173 valid entries, winning R15 000. Tyburn Primary School and Cresslawn Primary School followed in second and third place, earning R10 000 and R5 000 respectively.
A Platform That Inspires a Generation
Now in its 18th edition, the Dream Car Art Contest has become a hallmark of Toyota’s global engagement with youth, driven by the conviction that children’s ideas can help shape a brighter, more inclusive future. “At Toyota, we are proud of all the winners and every child who submitted their artwork. Seeing the world through the lens of our children is the first step in building a future that belongs to them,” says Lorgat.
As the three national champions prepare to take their place on the global stage in Japan, South Africa will be watching—and cheering—as these young visionaries show the world what the future could look like when driven by dreams.
