From literature and design to visual arts, heritage and performance, the NACA shines a national spotlight on artists and institutions whose contributions have shaped, preserved and reimagined our cultural identity. The 2025 nominees reflect the rich diversity, imagination and resilience that define South Africa's creative sector, says the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

"The National Arts and Culture Awards are about more than recognition," says 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."

NACA 2025 Official Nominees

According to the DSAC, the 2025 nominees include:

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

L 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

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 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

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

The nominee announcement will be followed by a national digital campaign across DSAC platforms in the lead-up to the live awards ceremony on Friday, 22 August at Sun City, concludes the DSAC.

For more information, visit www.naca.dsac.gov.za. You can also follow the NACA on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of Facebook