Interview by Anastatia
Pundit by definition is a voice of authority, one who shapes thought in public.
In Johannesburg, the name has grown beyond the dictionary. It has become a stage, a heartbeat, a force behind the culture-shaping events that mark our city’s rhythm.
Pundit Projects Pty Ltd led by Lesego Madikong, whose 20 years of mastery in live staging and broadcast form the backbone, Pundit doesn’t just plan events, it architects experiences. From the quiet rigor of logistics and operations to the bold brushstrokes of creative direction, every detail becomes part of a living story.
The first time I met Lesego Madikong, I was on the edge of my seat in the courtyard of Neighbarhood, that familiar sanctuary where creatives gather over wine, vinyl, and a sophisticated groove.
What struck me most was this: Lesego isn’t just a dreamer of big visions, he is a dream executor. Where others float in the sky of ideas, he builds the scaffolding, lays the bricks, and turns imagination into living, breathing experiences.
Their offering is turnkey, but the result is never ordinary. Each project is a solution carved from imagination, each moment designed to linger. Pundit builds spaces where brands meet people in ways that surprise, move, and remain experiences that do not just fill a calendar, but add value to culture itself.
How do you design events that not only engage audiences but also shape cultural moments, sparking conversations and lasting impressions?
For us, it always starts with people. We ask: what will move them, surprise them, and stay with them long after the event is over? From there, we design touchpoints that go beyond entertainment, they create connections. Whether it’s through music, art, or technology, we shape experiences that reflect culture to the audience while giving brands a chance to be part of that story. That’s how moments turn into movements.
In what ways do your core values like ‘Experiment,’ ‘Transparency,’ and ‘Connection’ translate into the team’s internal culture and the experiences you deliver to clients?
Our values are not just words on a wall. Experiment means we give the team space to try new ideas, test crazy concepts, and learn quickly.
Transparency means we are honest with each other and with our clients if something won’t work, we say it, and if it will work, we back it with evidence.
Connection means we work as one unit internally and externally always remembering that what we create is about connecting brands and people in meaningful ways.
Can you share an example of a recent event where you used unexpected creative or technological elements to shift how attendees perceive a brand or moment in culture? (speak on The Manor x Nike event)
The Manor x Nike Sunday Best event was about lifestyle. The focus was on celebrating frontrunners, the individuals who know how to win, and set the tone for culture.
We approached it as an exploration of unexpected creativity, using the gallery space as our cultural playground. The music, the curated art, and the overall atmosphere worked together to create a subtle but powerful expression of Nike’s presence.
It showed that a brand can be part of culture not by shouting its name, but by standing alongside creativity and letting the experience speak for itself.
How does the team cultivate cultural intelligence when producing events for diverse audiences and major brands especially in dynamic South African contexts? (Given your diverse, high‑profile clients (like Nike, Spotify, Red Bull) and local footprint , navigating cultural nuance is essential.
South Africa is layered with many cultures, many languages, many truths. To succeed, you have to listen. We spend time on the ground, talking to communities, working with local creatives, and really understanding what’s happening in the streets before we design. We attend the parties.
We also bring in diverse voices into our planning rooms, because one perspective is never enough. That’s how we make sure global brands feel authentic in a South African space.
How do you embed a culture of experimentation and bold creativity both internally among your team and in how you collaborate with clients?
Internally, we encourage the team to bring unfinished ideas to the table as alluded above nothing is too raw. We workshop, we test, we build prototypes, and we are lucky to have like-minded fabricators.
With clients, we invite them into that process. Instead of just presenting a “finished” concept, we show them the journey, the trials, the experiments. That openness makes clients bolder, and together we end up with work that feels alive and daring.
What is the next cultural frontier you hope Pundit will help shape in Johannesburg and beyond?
We want to push deeper into the mix of digital and physical. The future is about hybrid experiences events that happen live but extend online in ways that feel seamless. Johannesburg, and South Africa as a whole, is ready for that next layer, where brands don’t just activate for a day but create cultural touchpoints that live on screens, in music, in fashion, and in daily life.
What lessons did you learn in your 16 years of experience that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
While the agency itself has been shaped by 9 years of professional mastery, my personal journey in this industry actually began 20 years ago, back in 2005, when I completed my Entertainment Technology degree at Tshwane University of Technology and stepped into my first job.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s not enough to be creative or be an event executive producer; you must be disciplined.
Ideas are easy, but structure is what brings them to life. Another lesson is that relationships are everything. Respect every person you work with, from the intern to the CEO, because events are built by people, not just plans.
What legacy do you hope Pundit will leave on South African culture, and how are you building toward that now?
We want Pundit to be remembered as the agency that gave culture back to the people by creating experiences that truly added value to communities.
Our legacy should be that we helped brands listen, connect, and contribute to culture in ways that were real, not forced.
Every project we do now is a brick in that foundation.
Visit Pundit Projects website to keep in touch with all their work.
