Toyota South Africa is pleased to announce this year’s winners in the local leg of the Dream Car Art Contest. Entries for the 2018 national competition opened on 17 January and closed on the 1st of March. A total of 11 630 entries were received from all over the country and this year’s crop didn’t disappoint in showcasing their talent and creative skills.

In a fun-filled event held at Toyota South Africa, a total of 15 finalists – including first-prize winners – were announced from the three eligible age categories of the competition. The prizes for each age category in the national competition are as follows:

• 1st Place: PS4 to the value of R7 000 and R 8 000 Cash

• 2nd Place: PS4 to the value of R7 000

• 3rd Place: Xbox One to the value of R5 000

• 4th Place: Tablet to the value of R3 000

• 5th Place: Makro Voucher to the value of R2 000

In the Under 8 category, Fabian Edward Rodrigues whose vehicle is called Toyota Green Life Maker clinched first place. Fabian’s dream car “sucks up all the pollution, dirt, and drought as well as sadness and turns it into a clean, beautiful, and green world with happy people”.

Aaron Chetty’s PET Siyaya claimed first spot in the 8-11 years category, and it uses vegetable oil as well as solar powered wings and even boasts a suction pipe that collects plastic bags bottles. In the 12-15 category, Danika Erasmus walked away with first prize for her Toyota Adamas that turns carbon pollution into diamonds. All three first-prize winners in each category have now been entered into the international competition to be held in Japan in the second half of 2018.

First held in 2004, the Dream Car Art Contest gives children around the world the opportunity to feel the joy and importance of having dreams. Last year, there were approximately 830 000 entries from 79 countries – including South Africa.

Under the guidance of President of Toyota Motor Corporation Akio Toyoda (also chair of the judging panel), art experts and automotive specialists from outside Toyota are nominated to judge the entries and would then select the award winners in the contest's three age categories.

CATEGORY 1: Under 8 years

5th Place is David Pereira Harichund

4th Place is Emma Astrid Gerber

3rd Place is Huzaifa Yusuf Moosa

2nd Place is Safiyyah Yusuf Moosa

1st Place is Fabian Edward Rodrigues   Vehicle Name: Toyota Green Life Maker Description: The Toyota Green Life Maker sucks up all the pollution, dirt, drought and sadness and turns it into a clean, beautiful, and green world with happy people.

CATEGORY 2: 8 - 11 Years

5th Place is Boitshepo Neo Sakhwane

4th Place is Sarishka Naidoo

3rd Place is Ryan Leonardo Chetty

2nd Place is Johannes Jacobus Pretorius

1st Place is Aaron Chetty  Vehicle Name: PET Siyaya Description: The PET Siyaya uses vegetable oil as fuel resulting in less carbon emission, and uses solar powered wings. The suction pipe collects light plastic bags and bottles.

CATEGORY 3: 12 - 15 Years

5th Place is Mareli Van Der Merwe

4th Place is Lau-Ann Brandt

3rd Place is Joshua Adam Clarke

2nd Place is Sabeeha Suleman

1st Place is Danika Erasmus Vehicle Name:  Toyota Adamas Description: The Toyota Adamas turns carbon pollution into diamonds

Toyota South Africa would like to congratulate all the winners on their achievements and thank everyone who participated in the 12th annual Dream Car Art Contest.