Humanz, the 360-degree AI-powered influencer marketing platform, has officially unveiled the winners of its first-ever Humanz Top 20 Awards in South Africa, marking a major moment for the country’s fast-growing creator economy. Built on the belief that influence must be earned, not assumed, Humanz continues to position itself as more than just a platform. With over 500,000 creators globally, partnerships with brands such as Google, L’Oréal, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Amazon and Sephora, and more than $25 million raised to date, the company is redefining how creators and brands collaborate using AI, real-time data and measurable performance.
At the heart of Humanz is its mantra, “Be Worth Following” — a philosophy that prioritises professionalism, ethics and long-term credibility over vanity metrics. The Top 20 Awards reflect exactly that. Winners were selected through a combination of proprietary platform algorithms and human review, ensuring recognition is based on performance, trust and real impact.
The 2026 Humanz Top 20 winners are Thato Rampedi, Primo Baloyi, Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa, Ervè Bukasa, Dr Katlego Selikane, Siya Bani, Grace Mondlana, Mbali Nhlapho, Nadia Jaftha, Rasheeqah Karriem, Robot Boii, Banele Ndaba, Popi Sibiya, Ndivhuwo Muhanelwa, Farren Cloete, Lasizwe Dambuza, Onezwa Mbola, Thandi Gama, Bongani Baloyi and Tadeus Mbatha.
The awards also introduced a Top 10 Up & Coming Creators category, spotlighting the next generation of digital leaders who have shown rapid growth without compromising authenticity. This year’s rising stars are Anika Dambuza, Tefelo Mathabe, Hlomani Nketani, Gloria Ngcobo, Zintle Mofokeng, Lerato Nkabinde, Sezgzyunicorn, Sinemivuyo Mpulu, Smangele Shabalala and Anarzade Omar.
As the creator economy continues to expand, Humanz is making one thing clear: value attracts value. By recognising creators who combine performance with integrity, the platform is helping shape a more transparent, credible and sustainable future for digital influence in South Africa.
