- Twenty awards were presented across six disciplines as South Africa’s artists, creatives, and cultural institutions were recognized at Sun City.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has announced the winners of the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), following the Awards ceremony held at Sun City Resort in the North West Province on Friday, 21 August 2026. The celebration was broadcast nationally on SABC 1 on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
The third edition of NACA recognised excellence across six disciplines through 20 competitive awards, spanning Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual and Literary work. The recipients reflect the breadth of South Africa’s creative and cultural landscape and the contribution made by artists, cultural practitioners and institutions to the country’s cultural identity and creative economy.
The NACA 2026 winners are:
Heritage
Outstanding Museum Award: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Visual Arts and Craft
Outstanding Art Gallery Award: Gallery MOMO
Outstanding Crafter Award: Madoda Fani – Southern Guild
Outstanding Curator Award: Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
Outstanding Visual Artist Award: Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
Design
Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer: Colin Payne
Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer: David Tlale – David Tlale
Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer: Siya Masuku – ZULOSOFI
Performing Arts
Outstanding Actor in Theatre: Themba Ndaba – Breakfast with Mugabe
Outstanding Comedian Performance: Nomthandazo Rubushe – Comedy Meets Gospel
Outstanding Dance Production: Gregory Maqoma – Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time
Outstanding Musician Award: Sisa Benjamin Zako – 45 years of Sizwe Zako
Outstanding Poet Performance: Koleka Putuma – Water
Outstanding Theatre Production: The Fatherland
Audio Visual
Outstanding Actor TV/Film Award: Zenande Mfenyana
Outstanding Film Fiction Award: Sebata – The Beast
Literary
Outstanding Book, Fiction Award: The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women by Michelle Kekana
Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award: Imperfect Harmony by Kutlwano Masote
Outstanding Children’s Fiction Award: Die beste sussie vir ‘n baba-draak by Fanie Viljoen
Outstanding Publisher Award: Jacana Media
In addition to the 20 competitive awards, the ceremony recognized recipients of the Ministerial Awards, honouring individuals whose work and contribution have made a significant impact on South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape. This year’s recipients were Mr. Leon Schuster, Mr. Alfred Ntombela, Ms. Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr. Rebecca Malope, Mr. Alec Khaoli, Dr. Miriam Makeba, Mr. Mduduzi Tshabalala, Mr. Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
