2026 National Arts and Culture Awards
Channel: SABC1
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: Awards
Presented under the theme ‘Celebrating Our Nation's Creative Excellence', the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards recognise outstanding achievement across South Africa's arts, culture and heritage sectors.
This year's awards place particular emphasis on three interconnected pillars: talent, the business of the creative sector and nation-building.
The approach acknowledges that South Africa's creative industries extend beyond artistic achievement, contributing to livelihoods and enterprise, cultural preservation, social cohesion and the country's national identity.
The awards recognise performers and creatives across categories including Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio-Visual and Literary.
The National Arts and Culture Awards provide an important platform to celebrate the individuals whose creativity, innovation and cultural contribution continue to shape and enrich South Africa's cultural landscape.
The awards took place on Friday 21 August, hosted by Pamela Mtanga and Vafa Naraghi, with the main ceremony preceded by a red carpet special (which airs at 19h30), hosted by Christopher Japhta and Nambitha Ben-Mazwi.
NOMINEES
AUDIO VISUAL & INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Outstanding Actor - TV/Film
Siyabonga Shibe
Zenande Mfenyana
Ntuthuzelo Grootboom
Outstanding Film Fiction
God's Work - Michael James
My Winter Tears - Lindani Msibi
Sebata – The Beast - Norman Maake
PERFORMING ARTS
Outstanding Actor in Theatre
Gontse Ntshegang
Mandlenkosi Gaduka
Valentine Themba Ndaba
Outstanding Dance Production
Nothing Twice - Chloe Blair
Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time - Gregory Maqoma
From You to Me - Llewellyn Mnguni
Outstanding Musician
Creshwell October
Sisa Benjamin Zako
Viwe Siyabonga Mkizwana
Outstanding Performance - Poet
Koleka Putuma
Masai Sepuru
Modise Joshua Sekgothe
Outstanding Performance - Comedian
Dalin Oliver
Nomthandazo Rubushe
Siyabulela Seya
Outstanding Theatre Production
Breakfast with Mugabe - Calvin Seretle Ratladi
Verwelkingslied - Jana Hattingh
The Fatherland - Aubrey Sekhabi
HERITAGE SITE
Outstanding Museum
Karoo Origins
KwaZulu-Natal Museum
The Phansi Museum
VISUAL ARTS & CRAFTS
Outstanding Art Gallery
Gallery MOMO
The Dealr
UNISA Art Gallery
Outstanding Crafter
Madoda Fani - Southern Guild
Sefakwana Portia Thenjwayo - Woven Lamp Shades
Xolile Mabuza - Scotch Never Die
Outstanding Curator
Bridget Phakathi - Nkosi Sikelel' iAzania
Palesa Suthane - Women of Substance
Tshegofatso Seoka - Concrete Dreams: Journeys in Transit
Outstanding Visual Artist
Gwenneth Miller - Omgekeerd
Mellaney Roberts - Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
Michael Selekane - Untitled
DESIGN & CREATIVE SERVICES
Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer
Bridget Meier
Kathleen Helen De Villiers Soal
Sipho Phiri
Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer
David Tlale
Jacques Lagrange
Olebogeng Ledimo
Outstanding Graphic/Multimedia Designer
David Siyabonga Tshabalala
Rejoice Kunene
Siya Masuku
LITERARY AWARDS
Outstanding Fiction Book
Jan Vermeulen - Bloedblou
Michelle Kekana - The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women
Ayanda Xaba - Room 904
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Kutlwano Masote - Imperfect Harmony
Deborah Seddon - Magnitude
Hlonipha Mokoena - The Nightwatchman
Outstanding Children's Fiction Book
Lalu Mokuku - Butterfly Heart
Fanie Viljoen - Die beste sussie vir 'n baba-draak
Bianca Flanders - Pumpkin and the Hidden Heroes
Outstanding Publisher
Jacana Media
uHlanga Press
Siyafunda Online
The ABC Killer
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 21h00
Genre: True Crime, Documentary Series, Docu-Drama
Moses Sithole, known as the ABC Killer, left a trail of devastation across Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland.
Explore the chilling case of the man who murdered 38 women and the investigation that finally stopped him.
The documentary revisits the mid-90s post-Apartheid climate and features the chilling real-life phone calls made by the killer to a rookie journalist at The Star newspaper during the manhunt.
In the series premiere, "The Cleveland Strangler": Amid the dawn of democracy and pulsating electronic music, a young reporter navigates the world of print journalism, and a chilling story emerges: a serial killer is targeting women.
9/11 Reunited
Channel: Disney+
TX Time: 10h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Docu-Reality
9/11 Reunited tells the story of September 11 through the eyes of survivors who experienced life-or-death moments with strangers that day and now want to meet again.
Made with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to mark the 25th anniversary, this series foregrounds stories of heroism and humanity amidst the worst terror attacks in US history.
The events of 9/11 are told like a drama.
We meet our different characters, survivors and rescuers and see their lives collide.
And through their different experiences, we see the terror attacks unfold – each episode culminating with an emotional reunion that reveals the true nature of humanity and heroism.
In the series premiere, "8.00 AM - 09.07 AM": Three men who were trapped in an elevator in the north tower on 9/11 reunite to thank one of the building's window cleaners, whose last-minute entry into the elevator helped them all survive.
A woman, who was badly injured by debris, reconnects with the stranger who stopped to save her life for the first time since 9/11.
007: Road To A Million 2
Channel: Prime Video
TX Time: 10h00
Genre: Reality Competition
Season 2 of this adrenaline-charged adventure returns with Brian Cox as the sardonic Controller.
Eight pairs of everyday people compete in intense Bond-inspired missions that test their bodies, minds and relationships.
Success brings cash and progress, while failure means facing the deadly new Killer Question, where one pair is always eliminated.
In the Season 2 premiere, "Mission 1: Thailand": For their first mission, four pairs must track down the yacht of Bond villain Scaramanga.
The Controller has ordered them to retrieve a hard drive.