The world’s number one cider, Savanna, has appointed its first ever Chief Dry Officer. To celebrate, Savanna brought delegates from across the country to witness the greatest conference of the year. The event proved to influencers and media alike that Savanna is more than just a cider, it is a cultural icon.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Wednesday, 26 November, Savanna DryCon took over Sandton. The night was packed with comedy, cold and crisp Savannas, and a stroll down the cider’s monumental legacy. Savanna’s Chief Dry Officer (CDO), Steve Jobe, also known as the Don Dada of Dry in his signature yellow turtleneck, was the star of the show. While he was not handing out the latest iPhone, he did make sure the audience stayed well hydrated with cold, crisp Savanna Dry’s, proving that sometimes the real treasure is in the bottle.
With 30 years of crafting crisp cider under its belt and the world’s number one cider title, Savanna has proven its undeniable greatness. During his speech, Steve Jobe proudly declared that the cider needed no improvement. “We have upgraded nothing. Is it not already perfect?”
For nearly three decades, Savanna has maintained its signature dry and crisp taste while expanding its cider lineup, proving that sometimes the classics really do win.
Marketing Director Andrea Quaye described DryCon as a celebration of Savanna’s cultural legacy. “South Africans understand Savanna because they understand the humour. DryCon was our way of creating a world people could step into. It was a tribute to the clarity, confidence, and wit that have defined this brand for nearly thirty years.”
Known for its satire, Savanna assembled a comedy dream team, each performing as characters in the DryCon universe. The lineup included Mojack Lehoko, Q Dube, Jerry Mntonga, Wazi Kunene, Farieda Metsileng, Rob van Vuuren, Aiden Ho, and Stella Dlangalala. Laughter.
Savanna’s Marketing Communications Manager, Kaya Hendricks, spoke about celebrating how far the brand has come. “It’s an incredibly proud moment for the brand and the teams that make this brand so special to reflect on thirsty years.” When speaking about the cider’s collaboration with comedians, she said, “It speaks to this instinctive nature of South African people to use humour to cope with daily life.”
Savanna’s innovation doesn’t stop at beverages, it extends to technology too. Savanna’s AI chatbot, Savivi 2.0, kept guests laughing while reminding them that Savanna has always been a trailblazer. The audience also enjoyed interactive elements, from blindfolded taste tests to Kahoot quizzes and the now-iconic “golden apple” giveaway, bringing the conference energy to life in unexpected ways. With DJ Zinhle and DJ Kent on the decks, the conference ended on a high note.
It is the season of year end functions, and Savanna may have just thrown the biggest one yet. The conference had hosts, speakers, testimonials, and debates, but it also had something no other conference can claim: waiters handing out cold, crisp Savanna Dry ciders at just the right moment. Steve Jobe was not selling Savanna to the audience, he was reminding the country that this is the cider that truly represents the essence of being South African.
