The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has celebrated South Africa’s leading artists, cultural practitioners and creative institutions at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), held at Sun City Resort in the North West on Friday, 21 August.
The third edition of the DSAC-led National Arts and Culture Awards recognised excellence across 20 competitive categories, spanning Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual and Literary work. The ceremony was broadcast nationally on SABC 1 on Saturday, 22 August.
Celebrating South Africa’s creative talent
Among the evening’s standout winners were David Tlale, who won Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer, and Themba Ndaba, who took home Outstanding Actor in Theatre for Breakfast with Mugabe.
Other winners included:
- KwaZulu-Natal Museum – Outstanding Museum Award
- Gallery MOMO – Outstanding Art Gallery Award
- Madoda Fani – Southern Guild – Outstanding Crafter
- Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania – Outstanding Curator
- Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie – Outstanding Visual Artist
- Colin Payne – Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer
- Siyabonga Masuku – ZULOSOFI – Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer
- Nomthandazo Rubushe – Comedy Meets Gospel – Outstanding Comedian Performance
- Gregory Maqoma – Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time – Outstanding Dance Production
- Sisa Benjamin Zako – 45 years of Sizwe Zako – Outstanding Musician
- Koleka Putuma – Water – Outstanding Poet Performance
- The Fatherland – Outstanding Theatre Production
- Zenande Mfenyana – Outstanding Actor TV/Film
- Norman Maake – Sebata, The Beast – Outstanding Film Fiction
- Michelle Kekana – The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women – Outstanding Book, Fiction
- Kutlwano Masote – Imperfect Harmony – Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction
- Fanie Viljoen – Die beste sussie vir ‘n baba-draak – Outstanding Children’s Fiction
- Jacana Media – Outstanding Publisher
DSAC honours cultural legends
Alongside the competitive categories, DSAC also presented Ministerial Awards to individuals whose careers have made a lasting contribution to South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape.
This year’s recipients included Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Dr Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the Awards were an opportunity to honour the pioneers who shaped South Africa’s cultural identity while creating space for emerging talent.
“The future of South African creativity is bright, and judging by the talent recognised this year, it is in very good hands,” said McKenzie.
Looking back while celebrating the future
Presented under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” the DSAC National Arts and Culture Awards placed the spotlight on talent, the creative economy and nation building.
This year’s concept, “Going Way Back,” drew on South Africa’s cultural memory and the generations of artists who have helped shape the country’s story.
The ceremony also reflected on major national milestones, including 70 years since the Women’s March of 1956, 50 years since the youth uprising of 1976, 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution and 50 years of television.
Hosted by Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi, NACA 2026 brought together established cultural icons, emerging creatives, nominees and industry leaders for an evening celebrating the depth and diversity of South African creativity.
The DSAC-led NACA 2026 formed part of a major national celebration of excellence, with the South African Sport Awards following at Sun City on Sunday, 23 August.
Main Image: NACA 2026
