THE Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) proudly announces the official nominees for the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) 2025, a prestigious event that honours excellence across South Africa’s dynamic creative landscape.
From literature and design to visual arts, heritage, and performance, the NACA Awards shine a national spotlight on artists and institutions whose contributions have shaped, preserved, and reimagined our cultural identity.
This year’s nominees reflect the rich diversity, imagination, and resilience that define South Africa’s creative sector.
“The National Arts and Culture Awards are about more than recognition,” said Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. “They are about remembering who we are, celebrating who we’ve become, and encouraging what we can still be.”
The nominee announcement will be followed by a national digital campaign across DSAC platforms in the lead-up to the live awards ceremony on 22 August at Sun City.
Congratulations to all the nominees, your work is the heartbeat of our creative legacy, says McKenzie.
NACA 2025 OFFICIAL NOMINEES
HERITAGE CATEGORY
Outstanding Cultural Landscape Award
● Kedar Heritage Lodge
● Freedom Park Heritage Site Museum
● The Playhouse Company
Outstanding Museum Award
● KZN Museum
● William Humphreys Art Gallery
● The War Museum of the Boer Republics
LITERARY CATEGORY
Outstanding Book, Fiction Award
● Charl-Pierre Naud
● Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani
● Barbara Boswell
Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award
● Kevin van Wyk
● Lebogang Seale
● Reneal Davids
Outstanding Children’s Fiction Book
● Upile Siyatandwa Bongco
● Lorato Trok
● Yamkela Tywakadi
Outstanding Publisher Award
● Andrea Nattrass, Pan MacMillan
● Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho, Vhakololo Press
● Joanne Hichens, Tattoo Press
DESIGN CATEGORY
Outstanding Architecture or Interior Designer
● Asher Zachary Marcus
● Lindie Buirski
● Atusaye Msiska
Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer
● Mpumelelo Dhlamini
● Mzukisi Mbane
● Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana
VISUAL ARTS CATEGORY
Outstanding Crafter Award
● Bernadette Swartz
● Rebecca Mushiasano Matibe
Majolandile Samuel Dyalvane
Outstanding Curator Award
● Gavin Krastin
● Nontobeko Ntombela
● Tshegofatso Emily Seoka
Outstanding Visual Artist Award
● Malebogo Naticia Molokoane
● Hari Lualhati
● Lerato Lodi
PERFORMING ARTS CATEGORY
Outstanding Musician Award
● Wayne Bosch
● Mphumelelo Dlamini
● Kerolin Govender
Outstanding Actor in Theatre
● Ayanda Sibisi
● Brittany Hope Smith
● Tshireletso Nkoane
Outstanding Theatre Production
● Nkoli the Vogue by Llewellyn Mnguni
● A Street Taxi Named Desire by Obett Motaung
● Sikelela by Lungile Themba
Outstanding Dance Production
● !ke e: /xarra//ke Diverse people unite by Sibonakaliso Ndaba
● INGOMA by Moeketsi Koena
● Charlie and the chocolate factory by Joburg Ballet
Outstanding Poet Performance
● Buzetsheni Mkhohliseni
● Napo Masheane
● Mbali Malimela
AUDIOVISUAL CATEGORY
Outstanding Documentary Film
● Language of My Soul – Gregory Molale
● London Recruits – Jacintha de Nobrega
6 Kings & 6 Queens – Molatelo Bossman
Outstanding Documentary Series
● Breaking Down Borders – Paul Modjadji
● School Ties – Richard Gregory
● Free at Last – Xoliswa Sithole
Outstanding Film Fiction Award
● Inkabi – Norman Maake
● Die Kwiksilwers – Jordy Sank
● Old Righteous Blues – Catharina Weinek
