National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) 2026

The 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) recognizes outstanding achievements in South Africa’s creative industries under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence.” The awards encompass a wide range of categories, including Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual, and Literature. Beyond honoring talent, the program emphasizes the business of the creative sector and its role in nation-building and social cohesion.

The ceremony is hosted by Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi and features a program of music, fashion, poetry, and performance. The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with several national milestones: the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprising, and 50 years of television in South Africa. The main event at Sun City Resort will be broadcast to the nation on SABC 1.

In addition to the central awards ceremony, the event includes a week of focused celebrations beginning on August 18. The program concludes with a dedicated community outreach initiative held at Paardekraal Primary School in Rustenburg on Monday, August 24, 2026.