The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has announced Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi as presenters for the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), with a new wave of nominees revealed ahead of the ceremony at Sun City Resort on Friday, 21 August.
The pair will lead an evening celebrating South Africa’s artists, creatives and cultural practitioners, while a star-studded performance line-up will feature Zee Nxumalo, Holly Rey, Yanga Chief, Tu Nokwe, Brenden Praise and Jimmy Nevis.
The latest announcement follows the first batch of nominees in Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, with the spotlight now turning to Design and Performing Arts.
Design nominees
Architecture/Interior Designer
- Bridget Meier
- Kathleen Helen De Villiers Soal
- Sipho Phiri
Fashion/Textile Designer
- David Tlale
- Jacques La Grange
- Olebogeng Ledimo
Graphic & Multimedia Designer
- David Siyabonga Tshabalala
- Rejoice Kunene
- Siya Masuku
Performing Arts nominees
Actor in Theatre
- Gontse Ntshegang
- Mandlenkosi Gaduka
- Valentine Themba Ndaba
Comedian Performance
- Dalin Gerard Oliver
- Nomthandazo Rubushe
- Siyabulela Seya
Dance Production
- Nothing Twice
- Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time
- From You to Me
Musician Award
- Creshwell October
- Sisa Benjamin Zako
- Viwe Siyabonga Mkizwana
Poet Performance
- Koleka Putuma
- Masai Sepuru
- Modise Joshua Sekgothe
Theatre Production
- Breakfast with Mugabe
- Verwelkingslied
- The Fatherland
The winners will be announced at the NACA 2026 ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence.” The awards continue to highlight three key pillars: talent, the business of the creative sector and nation building.
Taking place during National Women’s Month and the commemoration of 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, NACA 2026 will celebrate the role of the creative sector in shaping the country’s cultural identity, economy and social cohesion.
The ceremony takes place at Sun City Resort on Friday, 21 August, with the televised event airing on SABC 1 on Saturday, 22 August at 20:00.
The National Arts and Culture Awards will be followed by the National Sports Awards on Sunday, 23 August, creating a weekend-long celebration of South African creative and sporting excellence.
Main Image: The Citizen
