0:00Fashion designer David Tlale at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards.
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- The annual National Arts and Culture Awards took place over the weekend at the Sun City Resort in North West.
- NACA has 20 competitive awards and recognises excellence across six disciplines.
- Here is a list of the NACA 2026 winners.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture held the annual National Arts and Culture Awards over the weekend at the Sun City Resort in the North West Province.
NACA has 20 competitive awards and recognises excellence across six disciplines, including 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,” said a DSAC press release.
The Ministerial Awards were also handed out, “honouring individuals whose work and contribution have made a significant impact on South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape”.
The Ministerial Awards recipients were Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Shabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards
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“NACA 2026 was a powerful reminder of the extraordinary depth of talent we have in South Africa,” said Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
“The awards brought together the legends who laid the foundations of our arts and culture with a new generation of creatives who are taking that legacy forward in their own bold and exciting ways,” McKenzie said.
“Honouring our veterans is important because we must never forget the people whose talent, sacrifice and hard work helped shape our cultural identity,” the minister continued. “At the same time, recognising fresh talent matters just as much, because that is how we show the next generation that there is a place for them and their ideas in the future of South African arts and culture.”
“That is what made this year’s NACA special. It celebrated where we come from, recognised where we are and showed us just how much there is to look forward to. The future of South African creativity is bright, and judging by the talent recognised this year, it is in very good hands.”
Outstanding Museum Award: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
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
Mellaney Roberts at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards
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Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer: Colin Payne
Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer: David Tlale – David Tlale
Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer: Siyabonga Masuku – ZULOSOFI
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 andEnd of Time
Gregory Maqoma at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards
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Outstanding Musician Award: Sisa Benjamin Zako – 45 years of Sizwe Zako
Outstanding Poet Performance: Koleka Putuma – Water
Outstanding Theatre Production: The Fatherland
Outstanding Actor TV/Film Award: Zenande Mfenyana
Outstanding Film Fiction Award: Norman Maake – Sebata, The Beast
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
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