South African Arts honoured at the National Arts and Culture Awards

In a colourful evening of the best dressed, marked by a variety of musical and dance renditions, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announced the winners of the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).

As 20 awards were presented across six disciplines in recognition of the contributions made by South African artists, creatives and cultural institutions at the Sun City Resort in the North West on Friday, SABC 1 broadcast the ceremony nationally on Saturday.

The evening brought together artists, nominees, cultural practitioners and industry leaders, with Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi leading the ceremony alongside performances and tributes celebrating different generations of South African creative talent.

In its third edition, the NACA recognised excellence through competitive awards spanning heritage, visual arts and craft, design, performing arts, audio visual and literary work. 

Award recipients reflected 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.

In addition to the 20 competitive awards, the ceremony recognised recipients of the Ministerial Awards, honouring individuals whose work and contribution have made a significant impact on South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape. 

This year’s recipients were Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Dr Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.

Congratulating winners, nominees and the broader creative industry, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie noted the importance of building platforms that recognise artistic excellence, while supporting sustainable careers and opportunities within the sector.

McKenzie said NACA 2026 was “a powerful reminder of the extraordinary depth of talent we have in South Africa”. 

“The awards brought together 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. 

“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,” McKenzie said.

“That is what made this year’s NACA special — celebrating where we come from, recognising where we are and showing 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,” added McKenzie.

Presented under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” NACA 2026 placed emphasis on three interconnected areas: talent, the business of the creative sector and nation building. 

The awards recognise creative achievement, while highlighting the contribution of the sector to livelihoods and enterprise, cultural preservation, social cohesion and South Africa’s national identity.

This year’s ceremony was brought to life through the creative concept “Going Way Back”, drawing on South Africa’s cultural memory and the generations of artists and creatives who have shaped the country’s story, while celebrating those carrying the legacy forward.

The concept carried particular significance during National Women’s Month — a year marking 70 years since the historic Women’s March of 1956.

It also took place in a year marking five decades since the Soweto 1976 Uprising, 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution and 50 years of television in South Africa. 

NACA 2026 was also supported by partners making practical contributions to the broader awards programme. These included Super Group Dealerships, JETOUR, Metropolitan, AMKA and Yamaha.

“These partnerships reflect the role that collaboration between government, business and the creative sector can play in supporting talent, livelihoods and opportunities beyond the awards stage,” McKenzie said.

The National Arts and Culture Awards were followed by the National Sports Awards on Sunday, completing a national weekend recognising excellence across South Africa’s arts, culture and sporting sectors.