The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) proudly unveils the official nominees for the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA) 2025 – a prestigious celebration of excellence across South Africa’s vibrant creative industries.
Spanning literature, design, visual arts, heritage, and performance, the NACA Awards shine a powerful national spotlight on the artists, cultural practitioners, and institutions whose work has shaped, preserved, and reimagined the nation’s identity. This year’s nominees embody the rich diversity, bold imagination, and enduring resilience that define South Africa’s creative spirit.
“The National Arts and Culture Awards are about more than recognition,” said the Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. “They are about remembering who we are, celebrating who we’ve become, and inspiring what we can still achieve.”
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The announcement marks the beginning of a nationwide digital campaign across all DSAC platforms, building anticipation for the live awards ceremony taking place on 22 August 2025 at Sun City – a night set to honour the visionaries who continue to shape the cultural heartbeat of South Africa.
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
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LITERARY CATEGORY
Outstanding Book, Fiction Award
- The Equality of Shadows – Charl-Pierre Naudé
- Buried in the Chest – Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani
- The Comrade’s Wife – Barbara Boswell
Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award
- Irascible – Kevin van Wyk
- 100 Years of Dispossession – Lebogang Seale
- Skaduwees en Geheime – Reneal Davids
Outstanding Children’s Fiction Book
- Big Shoes to Fill – Upile Siyatandwa Bongco
- Golden Girl – Lorato Trok
- Sanda Makes Some Money – Yamkela Tywakadi
- DSAC Celebrates South Africa’s Creative Excellence – The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announces the official nominees for the prestigious National Arts and Culture Awards 2025, honouring outstanding achievements across heritage, literature, design, visual arts, performing arts, and audiovisual media.
- Diverse Nominees Reflect a Rich Cultural Identity – From heritage sites like Freedom Park to celebrated authors, visionary designers, acclaimed performers, and groundbreaking filmmakers, the 2025 nominees showcase the nation’s imagination, diversity, and resilience.
- Countdown to the Sun City Ceremony – A national digital campaign will lead up to the live awards event on 22 August 2025 at Sun City, where South Africa’s cultural trailblazers will be celebrated on one of the industry’s biggest stages.
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
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VISUAL ARTS CATEGORY
Outstanding Crafter Award
- Bernadette Swartz
- Rebecca Mushaisano 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
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Outstanding Theatre Production
- Nkoli the Vogue – Llewellyn Mnguni
- A Street Taxi Named Desire – Obett Motaung
- Sikelela – Lungile Themba
Outstanding Dance Production
- !ke e: /xarra//ke Diverse People Unite – Sibonakaliso Ndaba
- INGOMA – Moeketsi Koena
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – 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
