The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture honoured South Africa’s leading artists, designers, writers and cultural institutions across 20 categories at the National Arts and Culture Awards 2026
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has announced the winners of the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) 2026 following a glittering ceremony at Sun City in the North West on 21 August 2026.
Broadcast nationally on SABC 1, the third edition of the awards celebrated South Africa’s creative achievements across six disciplines. Twenty competitive awards recognised artists, cultural practitioners and institutions whose work continues to shape the country’s cultural identity and creative economy.
Held under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” this year’s ceremony highlighted the connection between artistic talent, the creative economy and nation building.
National Arts and Culture Awards 2026 winners
Heritage
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Outstanding Museum Award: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Visual Arts and Craft
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Outstanding Art Gallery Award: Gallery MOMO
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Outstanding Crafter Award: Madoda Fani – Southern Guild
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Outstanding Curator Award: Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
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Outstanding Visual Artist Award: Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
Design
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Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer: Colin Payne
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Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer: David Tlale
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Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer: Siyabonga Masuku – ZULOSOFI
Performing Arts
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Outstanding Actor in Theatre: Themba Ndaba – Breakfast with Mugabe
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Outstanding Comedian Performance: Nomthandazo Rubushe – Comedy Meets Gospel
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Outstanding Dance Production: Gregory Maqoma – Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time
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Outstanding Musician Award: Sisa Benjamin Zako – 45 Years of Sizwe Zako
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Outstanding Poet Performance: Koleka Putuma – Water
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Outstanding Theatre Production: The Fatherland
Audio Visual
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Outstanding Actor TV/Film Award: Zenande Mfenyana
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Outstanding Film Fiction Award: Norman Maake – Sebata, The Beast
Literary
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Outstanding Book, Fiction: The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women by Michelle Kekana
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Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction: Imperfect Harmony by Kutlwano Masote
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Outstanding Children’s Fiction: Die beste sussie vir ‘n baba-draak by Fanie Viljoen
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Outstanding Publisher: Jacana Media
Ministerial Awards honour South African icons
Beyond the competitive categories, the Ministerial Awards recognised legendary figures whose contributions have left a lasting mark on South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape.
This year’s recipients included Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
Gayton McKenzie celebrates South Africa’s creative future
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie congratulated the winners and nominees, saying the awards demonstrated the remarkable depth of South African talent while honouring those who built the country’s cultural legacy.
He emphasised that recognising veteran artists remains essential, while celebrating emerging talent helps ensure future generations see a place for themselves in South Africa’s creative industries.
A celebration rooted in South African history
The National Arts and Culture Awards 2026 embraced the creative concept “Going Way Back,” celebrating South Africa’s cultural memory while highlighting artists carrying that legacy into the future.
The concept held particular significance during National Women’s Month and against several historic milestones, including:
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70 years since the 1956 Women’s March
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50 years since the 1976 youth uprising
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30 years of South Africa’s Constitution
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50 years of television in South Africa
Hosted by Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi, the evening featured performances and tributes spanning generations of South African creative talent.
Partners supporting South Africa’s creative economy
Several partners contributed to the broader NACA 2026 programme, extending support beyond the awards stage.
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JETOUR, through Super Group Dealerships, supported mobility throughout the awards weekend.
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Metropolitan focused on financial resilience and legacy protection.
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AMKA and its beauty brands showcased local hair and make-up talent.
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YAMAHA donated musical instruments for the Ministerial Outreach Programme at Paardekraal Primary School in Rustenburg.
These partnerships reflect the growing collaboration between government, business and the creative sector in creating opportunities for South African artists.
A weekend celebrating national excellence
The National Arts and Culture Awards 2026 formed part of a national weekend of recognition, alongside the South African Sport Awards, celebrating excellence across both South Africa’s cultural and sporting landscapes.
