‘We are changing how artists get treated’: Minister Gayton McKenzie as NACA 2026 winners walk away with R50K
· Citizen
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie says his department is changing how artists are treated, with winners at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) receiving R50,000 each.
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The NACA awards ceremony was held at Sun City Resort in the North West on Friday, 21 August. The awards aired on SABC 1 the following night, Saturday, 22 August.
Speaking to The Citizen after the ceremony, McKenzie said artists should not leave government awards ceremonies with certificates alone.
“For me, people can’t just come here and get certificates. All these years they’re getting certificates. What is that?” McKenzie said.
“People are doing their hair, it costs money. Their nails, makeup, all these things. Then they come here with no money. No, not under Minister McKenzie.”
For the first time since the awards were launched, the department awarded R50,000 to each winner across the 20 competitive NACA categories.
McKenzie said the prize money would increase in future.
“So moving forward, we are even going to double that,” he said.
‘We are changing how artists get treated’
McKenzie said the changes formed part of his broader approach to supporting artists and cultural practitioners.
“This is a new time. We’re switching up. We are changing how artists get treated, these type of functions,” he said.
“We are making sure that we invest money in it, and we’re making sure that this goes from strength to strength.”
The minister acknowledged that changes within the arts and culture sector would take time.
“And artists must just be a little bit more patient. I’m switching things up. I’m changing their lives. Things have gotta change,” he said.
McKenzie said his longer-term goal was to ensure artists could support themselves financially rather than relying on government assistance.
“I want to make sure that artists don’t live on handout, handouts,” he said.
“They don’t pay for their funeral. They pay for their own funeral. Wanna make sure they got a great pension, and we’re gonna do that.”
The minister also defended his performance in the portfolio, saying he was focused on delivering change despite criticism.
“People will always complain, but I can tell you I’m doing a damn good job. That I can tell you,” he said.
“People have suffered for 30 years. I’m going to change stuff.”
McKenzie said he understood that some people wanted changes within a short period.
“They want it, they want change within two years. I also want it within one year, but it’s a bit difficult sometimes,” he said.
“But we’re gonna get there.”
NACA 2026 winners
The 2026 NACA recognised achievements across Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual and Literary work.
Among the winners were actor Themba Ndaba, musician Sisa Benjamin Zako, poet Koleka Putuma, dancer and choreographer Gregory Maqoma, fashion designer David Tlale and actress Zenande Mfenyana.
One of the winners, architect and designer Colin Payne, said the prize money came as a surprise.
“The money’s a bit of a shock,” Payne told The Citizen.
“We only found out that I was a finalist in this on Tuesday. So it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.”
Payne won the Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer award for his work on the Crew Origins project.
He said the project was the most complete and detailed work he had produced during his nearly 30-year career.
“I spent three years of my life crafting every little bit of it and working with the most incredible team of artists and designers and animators to bring it all to life, and sculptors,” he said.
“It’s just amazing for this to be the thing that I got an award for.”
Payne has also written and directed his first short film, which he said is expected to be completed early next year.
The 20 NACA winners are:Heritage
- Outstanding Museum Award: KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Visual Arts and Craft
- Outstanding Art Gallery Award: Gallery MOMO
- Outstanding Crafter Award: Madoda Fani – Southern Guild
- Outstanding Curator Award: Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
- Outstanding Visual Artist Award: Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
Design
- Outstanding Architecture/Interior Designer: Colin Payne
- Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer: David Tlale – David Tlale
- Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer: Siyabonga Masuku – ZULOSOFI
Performing Arts
- Outstanding Actor in Theatre: Themba Ndaba – Breakfast with Mugabe
- Outstanding Comedian Performance: Nomthandazo Rubushe – Comedy Meets Gospel
- Outstanding Dance Production: Gregory Maqoma – Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time
- Outstanding Musician Award: Sisa Benjamin Zako – 45 Years of Sizwe Zako
- Outstanding Poet Performance: Koleka Putuma – Water
- Outstanding Theatre Production: The Fatherland
Audio Visual
Outstanding Actor TV/Film Award: Zenande Mfenyana
Outstanding Film Fiction Award: Norman Maake – Sebata, The Beast
Literary
- Outstanding Book, Fiction Award: The Fragile Mental Health of Strong Women by Michelle Kekana
- Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award: Imperfect Harmony by Kutlwano Masote
- Outstanding Children’s Fiction Award: Die beste sussie vir ‘n baba-draak by Fanie Viljoen
- Outstanding Publisher Award: Jacana Media
The ceremony also included the Ministerial Awards, which recognised individuals for their contribution to South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape.
The recipients were Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Dr Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
The awards were held under the theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence”.
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