SABC1 celebrated South Africa’s creative excellence on Saturday night with the broadcast of the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards, honouring outstanding talent across the country’s arts, culture and heritage sectors.
The awards ceremony, which took place at Sun City on Friday, was broadcast nationally on SABC1 at 8pm and brought together artists, performers, writers, designers and cultural practitioners in a celebration of the country’s creative talent. The ceremony was hosted by Pamela Mtanga and comedian Vafa Naraghi.
A celebration of creative excellence
Presented under the theme Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence, the awards recognised achievement across several sectors, including heritage, visual arts and craft, design and creative services, performing arts, audio-visual and interactive media, and literature.
The ceremony placed the spotlight on the contribution of the creative sector to livelihoods, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, social cohesion and South Africa’s national identity.
The awards also featured a line-up of South African performers, including Zee Nxumalo, Holly Rey, Yanga Chief, Tu Nokwe, Brenden Praise and Jimmy Nevis, adding music and entertainment to the evening’s celebration of the country’s artistic talent.
Creative stars recognised
The National Arts and Culture Awards recognised nominees and winners across a wide range of disciplines, from museums, galleries and visual arts to theatre, music, film, comedy, literature, fashion and design.
The awards highlighted the diversity of South African creativity and recognised individuals and institutions whose work continues to preserve heritage, tell local stories and contribute to the growth of the country’s creative economy.
Sports stars next in line
The celebrations of South African excellence are set to continue on Sunday night when SABC1 broadcasts the South African Sports Awards at 8pm.
Hosted by Expresso Morning Show presenter Graeme Richards and Metro FM’s Lerato Kganyago, the ceremony will honour the country’s sporting Class of 2025 across 19 categories.
Among those competing for the prestigious Sport Star of the Year award are Proteas cricket captain Temba Bavuma, Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx and Olympic silver medallist Akani Simbine.
The Sportswoman of the Year category includes Proteas Women’s cricket captain Laura Wolvaardt, canoeing sensation Kira Bester and athletics star Prudence Sekgodiso.
South Africa’s Paralympic stars will also be recognised, with Kgothatso Montjane, Sheryl James and Simoné Kruger among the nominees for Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, while Mpumelelo Mhlongo returns as a contender in the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability category.
A weekend of South African pride
Saturday night’s arts awards broadcast formed part of a major weekend of national recognition, with the sporting awards set to follow on Sunday.
Together, the two ceremonies have placed the spotlight on the artists, creatives and athletes whose achievements continue to bring pride to South Africa and shape the country’s identity.
The South African Sports Awards will be broadcast on SABC1 and simulcast on SABC+ on Sunday, August 23, at 8pm.
