By Marcus Moloko
As the red carpet became a canvas and every look told its own story at this year’s prestigious 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), history was made as winners took home cash awards, a substantive boost for an industry reported by artists to be under strain.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), together with North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, came together in Sun City to bring together artists across heritage, visual arts and craft to celebrate nationwide talent and dedication.
South African broadcaster and media personality Pamela Mtanga was joined by comedian Vafa Naraghi as co-host.
This year’s theme for the awards was Celebrating our Nation’s Creative Excellence, to recognise excellence across cultural heritage sectors while placing emphasis on talent, the business of the creative sector and contributing towards a growing nation.
This recognises not only artistic achievement but also the contribution of the sector to livelihoods and enterprise, cultural preservation, social cohesion and South Africa’s national identity.
While the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie rolled out the red carpet, it was his confirmation to contribute R 20 000 to all nominees that took center stage.
The minister confirmed the plight faced by many creatives and confirmed that all nominees would receive R 20 000.
“The National Arts and Culture Awards celebrate those who keep our stories alive and our heritage strong. As we mark 30 years of our Constitution, we are reminded that arts and culture are not a luxury. They are who we are, what brings us together, and what inspires the South Africa we want to build.”
The minister indicated that he wanted creatives to feel valued beyond a single night of praise and that, to motivate more sustainable changes to the industry, more would be done.
“Nothing shows people’s interest in you like them giving you money.” He said he wanted creatives to see and appreciate support from the department.
One of the winners on the night was fashion designer David Tlale, who took home the Outstanding fashion and Textile Designer Award.
Others were Siya Masuku for Graphic and Multimedia Design, Themba Ndaba for actor in Theatre, Sinande Mfenyane for TV and Film Acting, Kathleen Helen de Villiers for Architecture and interior design, Koleka Putuma for outstanding poet performance and Nomthandazo Rubushe for Comedy performance.
Black Coffee received the International Award, Leon Shuster was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Mariam Makeba, Don Mattera, and Mandoza were also recognised on the night with special awards for their contributions to the country’s culture and input.
Rebecca Malope, Felicia Mabuza Suttle, and Alec Khaoli also walked away with the department’s acknowledgement. Malope told Inside Politics how she was grateful to all her supporters and the ministers’ investment in Arts and Culture. She received the ministerial award and said these funds would become an investment in the country’s creative future, as she also looks into spreading her talent into designing.
The nominees were:
Outstanding Museum Award
Karoo Origins
KwaZulu-Natal Museum
The Phansi Museum
Winner: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Outstanding Art Gallery Award
Gallery MOMO
The Dealr
UNISA Art Gallery
Outstanding Crafter Award
Winner: Gallery MOMO
Outstanding Crafter Award
Madoda Fani – Southern Guild
Sefakwana Portia Thenjwayo – Woven Lamp Shades
Xolile Mabuza – Scotch Never Die
Outstanding Curator Award
Winner: Madoda Fani
Outstanding Curator Award
Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
Sefakwana Portia Thenjwayo – Woven Lamp Shades
Tshegofatso Seoka – Concrete Dreams: Journeys in Transit
Outstanding Visual Artist Award
Winner: Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
Outstanding Visual Artist Award
Gwenneth Miller – Omgekeerd
Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
Michael Selekane – Untitled
Winner: Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
List of winners
Colin Payne, who won the Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer award
David Tlale: Outstanding fashion textile designer award
Siyabonga Masuku from SuloSofi took home the outstanding Graphic and Multimedia Designer award.
Themba Ndaba – Breakfast with Mugabe – Outstanding actor in theatre award
Nomthandazo Rubushe from Comedy Meets Gospel won the Outstanding Comedian Performance Award.
Other awards
– 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: Norman Maake Norman Maake – 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
Recipients of the ministerial awards were Shuster, Mr Afred Ntombela, Mabuza Suttle, Malope, Alec Khaoli, Dr Mariam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Matera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
NACA 2026 was also supported by partners such as Jetour, AMKA, and other beauty brands, which also supported the awards.
