Sport, Arts and Culture on 2025 National Arts and Culture Awards nominees

Johannesburg, South Africa — 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 the Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. "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.

NACA 2025 Official Nominees 1

Heritage Category

Literary Category

• Outstanding Book, Fiction Award:

  • The Equality of Shadows by Charl-Pierre Naudé

  • Buried in the Chest by Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani

  • The Comrade's Wife by Barbara Boswell

• Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award:

  • Irascible by Kevin van Wyk

  • 100 Years of Dispossession by Lebogang Seale

  • Skaduwees en Geheime by Reneal Davids

• Outstanding Children's Fiction Book:

  • Big Shoes to Fill by Upile Siyatandwa Bongco

  • Golden Girl by Lorato Trok

  • Sanda Makes Some Money by Yamkela Tywakadi

• Outstanding Publisher Award:

  • Andrea Nattrass, Pan MacMillan

  • Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho, Vhakololo Press

  • Joanne Hichens, Tattoo Press

Design Category

Visual Arts Category

• Outstanding Crafter Award:

• Outstanding Curator Award:

  • Gavin Krastin

  • Nontobeko Ntombela

  • Tshegofatso Emily Seoka

• Outstanding Visual Artist Award:

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:

• Outstanding Poet Performance:

  • Buzetsheni Mkhohliseni

  • Napo Masheane

  • Mbali Malimela

Audiovisual Category

• Outstanding Documentary Film:

  • Language of My Soul by Gregory Molale

  • London Recruits by Jacintha de Nobrega

  • 6 Kings & 6 Queens by Molatelo Bossman

• Outstanding Documentary Series:

  • Breaking Down Borders by Paul Modjadji

  • School Ties by Richard Gregory

  • Free at Last by Xoliswa Sithole

• Outstanding Film Fiction Award:

Enquiries:
Ms Stacey-Lee Khojane
Spokesperson: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Cell: 077 608 7579
E-mail: StaceyK@dsac.gov.za

Ms Zimasa Velaphi
Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Cell: 072 172 8925
E-mail: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za

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