By SUN CITY, NORTH WEST — In a spectacular showcase of heritage, innovation, and national identity, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) officially crowned the winners of the 3rd annual National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).
Held at the iconic Sun City Resort on Friday, 21 August 2026, and broadcast nationally on SABC 1 the following evening, the star-studded ceremony honoured twenty competitive standard-bearers alongside nine legendary icons of South African culture.
The celebration marks the opening leg of a historic, back-to-back weekend of national recognition, setting the pace for the South African Sport Awards (SASA) scheduled at the same venue on Sunday, 23 August.
Presented under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” NACA 2026 united artistic disciplines under a singular, high-octane banner—emphasizing talent, the business of the creative sector, and broader nation-building. The evening’s artistic direction centred on the concept “Going Way Back,” paying homage to historic cultural foundations during a landmark year marking 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March, 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising, 30 years of the South African Constitution, and 50 years of national television.
Hosts Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi anchored the broadcast, navigating a dynamic line-up of performances, generational tributes, and emotional trophy presentations.
The Champions of Creative Discipline
Across six core competitive categories—Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual, and Literary Work—the 2026 winners demonstrated the peak of South African craft:
Heritage
- Outstanding Museum Award: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Visual Arts & 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: Siyabonga 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: 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
Honouring the Legends: Ministerial Awards
Beyond the competitive slate, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie presented the prestigious Ministerial Awards to nine trailblazers whose lifetime contributions have indelibly shaped the republic’s cultural identity.
This year’s distinguished honourees included comedy and cinematic icons Mr. Leon Schuster and Mr. Alfred Ntombela; broadcasting matriarch Ms. Felicia Mabuza-Suttle; gospel titan Dr. Rebecca Malope; music pioneer Mr. Alec Khaoli; Kwaito giant Mr. Mduduzi “Mandoza” Tshabalala; global house music ambassador Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo; and the late, revered visionaries Dr. Miriam Makeba and literary giant Mr. Don Mattera.
“NACA 2026 was a powerful reminder of the extraordinary depth of talent we have in South Africa,” said Minister 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. Honouring our veterans is important because we must never forget the people whose talent, sacrifice and hard work helped shape our cultural identity.”
Public-Private Synergies Building Sustainable Legacies
The 2026 awards ceremony highlighted a deliberate push toward sustainable enterprise within the creative sector. Strategic corporate partnerships played a pivotal operational role throughout the festival weekend.
Super Group Dealerships, via JETOUR, provided fleet mobility across both the NACA and Sports Awards proceedings. Metropolitan partnered to deliver financial literacy and legacy preservation frameworks for practitioners. AMKA and its beauty brands managed local hair and makeup production while providing developmental opportunities for beauty talent.
Extending the impact beyond the main stage, YAMAHA pledged musical instruments to support the Minister’s upcoming outreach initiative at Paardekraal Primary School in Rustenburg on Monday, 24 August 2026.
As Sun City transitions seamlessly from honouring cultural icons to crowning sporting champions at the South African Sport Awards, the weekend stands as a definitive benchmark for national pride and talent development.
