National Arts and Culture Awards to honour excellence in arts, culture and heritage sectors

The 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) are set to recognize outstanding achievement in South Africa's arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Presented under the theme "Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence," the Awards focus on three interconnected aspects: talent, the business of the creative sector, and nation building.

These areas are crucial as they highlight not only artistic accomplishment but also the sector's impact on livelihoods, enterprise, cultural preservation, social cohesion, and national identity.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, emphasized that the National Arts and Culture Awards celebrate those who preserve our stories and strengthen our heritage. As South Africa marks 30 years of its Constitution, McKenzie stressed that arts and culture are not luxuries, but vital elements that define us, unite us, and inspire the society we aspire to build.

Deputy Minister Peace Mabe added that culture is where our identity resides. The Awards, she noted, highlight the artists, creatives, and institutions whose work bridges generations, fortifies our communities, and keeps the essence of South Africa alive.

The DSAC has announced the first nominees for the Heritage, Visual Arts, and Crafts categories, setting the stage for a phased release of category nominations. In the Heritage category, nominees for the Outstanding Museum Award have been chosen. This award recognizes institutions that protect, interpret, and share South Africa's heritage with the public, showcasing the diversity of the museum sector – from natural and cultural heritage to regional history and community-based collections.

The first phase of the announcement also highlights excellence in four categories under Visual Arts and Craft, recognizing galleries, crafters, curators, and visual artists who contribute to South Africa’s contemporary creative landscape. Winners across all categories will be announced during the NACA ceremony, which will air nationally on SABC 1 at 20:00 on Saturday, 22 August 2026.

Subsequent nominations for the remaining NACA categories will follow in the coming days, allowing each discipline represented by the awards to receive individual acknowledgment. The full list of approved NACA 2026 nominees will be accessible through the official NACA platforms. The NACA awards will be followed by the South African Sport Awards (SASA) on Sunday, 23 August 2026, creating a weekend dedicated to celebrating excellence across South Africa’s arts, culture, and sporting sectors.