Johannesburg – This youth month, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is excited to announce the national winners of the 19th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. Aligned with Toyota’s global mission to “Produce Happiness for All”, the Contest is a flagship initiative that encourages children under the ages of 15 to imagine the future of mobility through art.

With over 10 million entries globally since its inception in 2004, the Dream Car Art Contest has become one of the world’s largest international art competitions. Through this platform, Toyota is fostering creativity, innovation and a sense of possibility among the next generation. The Contest empowers children to see themselves as future changemakers in mobility, technology and sustainability.

The national winner announcement shone a spotlight on the power of young minds to dream boldly, express freely and shape a better tomorrow. This year’s contest attracted 19-thousand entries from across South Africa, including neighbouring countries, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and eSwatini. Each artwork reflected a unique vision of a “dream car” designed to serve society, protect the environment and enhance human connection.

Tasneem Lorgat, General Manager of Marketing Communications at Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) said, “The Dream Car Art Contest is more than a competition, it is a celebration of creativity, courage and the boundless potential of children. Moreover, the Contest reinforces our commitment to “Producing Happiness for All” by inspiring and uplifting the next generation to see themselves as future changemakers.”

This year’s national winners demonstrated exceptional imagination and artistic expression presenting ideas that ranged from eco-friendly vehicles to community-focused designs that prioritise accessibility and safety.

The 2026 National Contest Overall winners

The first category winner is Kaveshnie with a Magic Bus that transports children to school by air. She says, “we have many children who has lost their lives going to school by wild drivers on the road.”

In category two, Elliott took first place with his No Crash Smart Car. He says, “My dream car has robotic eyes. It can spot danger and it will brake super-fast. It will cause less accidents. It will be safe for children like me. No more accidents!”

The final overall winner Savio presented the Eco Rescuer, a futuristic green car made for hot climate and wild areas. He says, “the green colour shows care for the environment and it runs on solar power and has a small recycle station. It has a big soft bumper to help animals or people stuck. It can change into a boat to float. It opens and closes using a fingerprint and has a drone that helps search for people and animals.”

The 2026 National Contest Overall Runners Up

Category 1: Under 8

  • 2nd Place: Jamie with Fantastic Toyota Turtle Cruiser
  • 3rd Place: Kriyasha with Knowledge Express
  • 4th Place: Aarya with Flying Dream Car
  • 5th Place: Shaanyi with My Toyota Super Eco Car

Category 2: 8 – 11 Years

  • 2nd Place: Boipelo with Toyota Fire Rescue Helicopter Car
  • 3rd Place: Malachi with Toyota Dual
  • 4th Place: Fareeha with Toyota Elixir Vida
  • 5th Place: Jordyn with Nature Cruiser

Category 3: 12 – 15 Years

  • 2nd Place: David with Toyota Nova Ark
  • 3rd Place: Yash with The Eco-Harmony
  • 4th Place: Abdurahim with Toyota Astroguide
  • 5th Place: Espoire with The Future Toyota

The winners walked away with the following prizes:

  • 1st Place: PS5 to the value of R15 000 and WRC Game including a 3D model of their drawing
  • 2nd Place: Xbox One to the value of R7 000          
  • 3rd Place: HP Laptop to the value of R5 000
  • 4th Place: Tablet to the value of R3 000
  • 5th Place: Gift Voucher to the value of R2 000

The overall national winners will go on to represent South Africa in the global Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, where their entries will be judged alongside submissions from around the world. This international platform not only showcases young talent but also encourages cross-cultural exchange and global thinking among participants.

As part of its broader commitment to youth development and community upliftment, TSAM continues to invest in initiatives that nurture education, creativity and innovation. The Dream Car Art Contest is a testament to this vision as it encourages children to dream without limits and to see mobility as a force for good.

“This year’s entries once again reflected a hopeful vision of the future, one we are reminded of as we commemorate Youth Month in South Africa. By celebrating the voices and dreams of today’s youth, TSAM reaffirms its belief that empowering children is central to building a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future. We are proud of the many children who submitted their artwork and congratulate all the winners whose artwork will represent us in the global competition, concluded Lorgat.

Explore the Toyota Dream Car Contest here https://www.toyota-dreamcarart.com/top/.