TECNO has had a packed couple of weeks, moving beyond just selling smartphones to making a real-world impact. From rewarding top students and energizing school crowds with Inkabi Records to promoting wellness and tackling road safety, the brand has been making itself known in more ways than one. Let’s break down what went down.
Celebrating Academic Excellence: The Mayoral Excellence Awards
First stop—KwaZulu-Natal. TECNO played a role in the 2025 Mayoral Excellence Awards, an initiative led by the INkosi uMtubatuba Local Municipality to recognize top matric learners, teachers, and schools. In a time when students are hustling harder than ever, this event was all about rewarding effort and celebrating success.
TECNO didn’t just show up; they came bearing gifts. Fourteen top students received TECNO-branded laptop bags stuffed with goodies, while the top three high achievers walked away with a SPARK 20 Pro smartphone—a device packed with enough smart features to help them transition seamlessly into university life or the workforce. It’s a solid move from TECNO, reinforcing their stance on education and youth empowerment.
School Tours with Inkabi Records: Big Zulu, Big Energy
Next up, TECNO joined forces with Big Zulu’s Inkabi Records to bring some serious vibes to four schools across Gauteng—Glenbrack High, Dinwiddie High, Germiston High, and Trinity House.
Picture this: 6,000 students, live music, and a buzzing TECNO display space. Students got to vibe with artists, engage with TECNO, and—of course—score some freebies. It’s part of TECNO’s growing effort to not just be a brand but to actively engage with young people where they are.
Spinning the Wheel at Vodacom World’s Wellness Day
At Spirit of Vodacom Day in Midrand, TECNO took a different approach—focusing on wellness. This wasn’t just a corporate networking event; it was about integrating well-being into everyday life. And TECNO? They made sure their presence was felt.
Their exhibition space was a full-on attraction, with a spin-the-wheel competition keeping visitors engaged. But it wasn’t just about luck—people had to dig into TECNO brochures, learn about the devices, and answer questions to get their shot at spinning the wheel. Winners popped balloons for a chance at TECNO gift boxes, turning the booth into an energy hub throughout the day.
Road Safety, But Make It High-Tech
South Africa’s road safety situation is no joke, and TECNO stepped up as a sponsor at the Transport Forum’s Road Safety Summit to be part of the conversation. The event aimed to explore how technology can contribute to safer roads, and TECNO positioned itself as a key player in this space.
Beyond just showing up, TECNO ensured delegates walked away with laptop bags loaded with goodies, while also getting a hands-on experience with TECNO’s latest innovations. Whether this involvement translates into real tech-driven road safety solutions remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction.
On the Ground: TECNO’s Fan Engagements at Malls & Campuses
TECNO’s presence hasn’t just been limited to events; they’ve been hitting the streets, too. The University of Limpopo and Jubilee Mall in Hammanskraal were recent stops for TECNO’s ongoing mall and campus activations. If you’ve been out shopping or on campus, you might have already spotted them—and if not, keep an eye out, because these activations aren’t stopping anytime soon.
This isn’t just about selling phones—it’s about TECNO embedding itself into communities. Whether this will deepen brand loyalty or simply serve as good PR remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: TECNO is out here playing the long game.
