The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced the next phase of nominees for the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), alongside the presenters and performers who will take the stage at Sun City Resort on 21 August.
Actress and presenter Hope Mbhele and Vafa Naraghi will lead this year’s ceremony, which brings together artists, cultural practitioners and industry stakeholders to recognise achievement across South Africa’s creative and cultural sectors.
The announcement comes as NACA continues its phased reveal of nominees. The awards’ official platform describes the NACA as a national recognition programme for creatives demonstrating outstanding artistic and technical achievement across various cultural disciplines.
A new group of nominees across design and performance
Following the initial announcement of nominees in Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, the latest reveal turns its attention to Design and Performing Arts.
In Design, the nominees include Bridget Meier, Kathleen Helen De Villiers Soal and Sipho Phiri in Architecture/Interior Designer; David Tlale, Jacques La Grange and Olebogeng Ledimo in Fashion/Textile Designer; and David Siyabonga Tshabalala, Rejoice Kunene and Siya Masuku in Graphic & Multimedia Designer.
The Performing Arts categories feature an equally broad selection of practitioners.
For Actor in Theatre, the nominees are Gontse Ntshegang, Mandlenkosi Gaduka and Valentine Themba Ndaba, while Dalin Gerard Oliver, Nomthandazo Rubushe and Siyabulela Seya are nominated for Comedian Performance.
The Dance Production category recognises Nothing Twice, Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time and From You to Me.
In the Musician Award category, the nominees are Creshwell October, Sisa Benjamin Zako and Viwe Siyabonga Mkizwana.
The Poet Performance nominees are Koleka Putuma, Masai Sepuru and Modise Joshua Sekgothe, while Breakfast with Mugabe, Verwelkingslied and The Fatherland are competing in Theatre Production.
Winners in these categories will be announced at the NACA ceremony.
A multi-generational performance line-up
The ceremony will also bring together artists from different generations and corners of South African music.
The confirmed performance line-up includes Zee Nxumalo, Holly Rey, Yanga Chief, Tu Nokwe, Brenden Praise and Jimmy Nevis.
The combination reflects the broader intention behind this year’s ceremony, which is being presented under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence.”
For the Department, the awards are positioned not only as a celebration of individual achievement but as a platform highlighting the role of creative work in South Africa’s cultural identity, creative economy and social cohesion.
NACA marks a significant moment for South African culture
This year’s ceremony takes place during National Women’s Month and as South Africa commemorates 30 years of the Constitution, giving the awards an additional national context.
The 2026 edition is also part of a broader weekend of recognition at Sun City. The National Sports Awards will follow on Sunday, 23 August, bringing the country’s arts, culture and sporting celebrations together across the weekend.
For audiences unable to attend the NACA ceremony in person, the event will be broadcast on SABC 1 on Saturday, 22 August at 20:00.
The NACA’s official schedule lists the 2026 ceremony for 21 August, following the nominee announcement and nominees’ dinner.
With further nominees and programme details still expected as the phased reveal continues, NACA 2026 is shaping up as a broad snapshot of the artists, designers and cultural practitioners currently contributing to South Africa’s creative landscape.
