2026 Content Creator Award nominees unveiled

The 2026 Content Creator Awards have officially unveiled this year's nominees (Image supplied)

This year’s awards feature 20 categories. Entry criteria have become more rigorous, with judging criteria developed in collaboration with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB South Africa) to ensure greater consistency, credibility and industry alignment.

A new category, the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, has also been announced and remains open for entries, giving creators one final opportunity to be recognised before entries officially close.

Open to creators of all niches, the category celebrates exceptional content captured on any type of Samsung Galaxy device. The winner will receive a Content Creator Award trophy, as well as a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at approximately R40,999. Entries close on 20 September.

Headline sponsor

The announcement of Samsung Galaxy as the title sponsor signals the growing confidence major brands have in South Africa’s creator economy.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Content Creator Awards,” says Rae Hargreaves, head of marketing: mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa.

“Creators are shaping culture, influencing purchasing decisions and redefining storytelling every single day. Samsung Galaxy exists to give creators the technology they need to tell those stories, and we’re excited to celebrate the incredible talent driving South Africa’s creator economy.”

The nominees

Public voting categories

• Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award

  Donovan Goliath SMS "COTY1" to 33622
  Grace Mondlana SMS "COTY2" to 33622
  Nadia Jaftha SMS "COTY3" to 33622
  Primo9teen SMS "COTY4" to 33622
  Vafa Naraghi SMS "COTY5" to 33622

• YouTube Creator Of The Year Award

  Centtwinz SMS "YOUTUBE1" to 33622
  Lasizwe SMS "YOUTUBE2" to 33622
  Noko Mashaba SMS "YOUTUBE3" to 33622
  Shev and Dev SMS "YOUTUBE4" to 33622
  SMWX SMS "YOUTUBE5" to 33622
  Zayaan SMS "YOUTUBE6" to 33622

• Cars.co.za Automotive Content Award

  Chris Rogers SMS "CARS1" TO 33622
  Mpoomy Ledwaba SMS "CARS2" TO 33622
  Rory Petzer SMS "CARS3" TO 33622
  Sam from TheCarScene SMS "CARS4" TO 33622
  Shane Assad SMS "CARS5" TO 33622
  Tebogo Moropa SMS "CARS6" TO 33622

• Emerging Creator Award, backed by Creator Club

  Anica Kiana SMS "EMERGING1" to 33622
  Isaac Mehlape SMS "EMERGING2" to 33622
  Sibo Mchunu SMS "EMERGING3" to 33622
  Sine_rsa_ SMS "EMERGING4" to 33622
  Socially Jordie SMS "EMERGING5" to 33622

• People’s Choice Award

  Anika Dambuza SMS "CHOICE1" to 33622
  Garfieldzar SMS "CHOICE2" to 33622
  Grace Mondlana SMS "CHOICE3" to 33622
  Olwethu Ncapayi SMS "CHOICE4" to 33622

  Tanaka Dube SMS "CHOICE5" to 33622

Non-public voting categories

• Telkom Best Online Series Award

  Awkward Dates by Lasizwe
  Hungry & Shameless
  Kickin it with Kim Jayde
  SABS Network
  The Adventures of Noko Mashaba

• 947 Sound of Tomorrow Award

  Chesrae Megan
  Carter Najar
  Lordkez
  Lukiemusic
  Mikhalé Jones
  Teagan's Things

• Dance Creator Award

  Chad Jones
  Benny Jnr
  Ludopie
  Rudi Smit
  TDO Thando

• Style Award

  Kimos
  Lue & Rue
  Pumla Dineo
  Wisemanzither
  Yasmin Furmie

• Best Online Social Series Award

  Dalin Oliver
  Nuri Gallow
  Simo Ziqubu
  Stefan van der Merwe
  Vafa Naraghi
  Zayaan

• Best Creator x Brand Collaboration Award

  Baxbara - Delicious Festival
  Lukiemusic - #IAmOriginal88
  Nabilah Kariem - Le Creuset
  Nabilah Kariem - Samsung
  Sni Mhlongo - Vaseline

• Expert Voices Award
  Bella Monsoon
  Kriya Gangiah
  Miss Angler
  Stefan van der Merwe for We Do Tech
  The Conscious Psychologist

• Trendsetter Award

  Anika Dambuza - The City Makoti
  Grace Mondlana
  Kim Jayde
  Lingling
  Primo9teen

• Podcast of the Year Award
  GenC Podcast
  Mindset Profits
  SMWX
  The Makhs
  The Sias du Plessis Show
  Wisdom & Wellness

• Impact Creator Award

  Conrad Koch & Chester Missing
  Joshwideawake
  Shandor Larenty
  Nick Hamman
  Theshaya

• Best Comedy Content Creator Award
  Céline TshikaIkho
  Sipho2skiits
  Tanaka Dube
  Titus Mokou

• Wildcard Award

  Lindosasmr
  Nathan Molefe
  Yombusoo Cthandiweii
  Zinhle Africa

• Thumb-stopping Award

  Céline Tshika
  Chris Rogers
  Kaytee Shots
  Planettobii

  Vafa Naraghi

The conversation has changed

When the awards launched in 2022, the mission was simple: celebrate creators at a time when many still had to justify content creation as a legitimate career. Four years later, that conversation has changed.

Today, the awards recognise the country’s most influential creators, the brands and agencies investing in the space, and the work that continues to push the industry forward.

“As the creator economy has evolved, so have the awards,” says Manuela Dias de Deus, founder of the Awards and One-eyed Jack.

"When we launched these awards, we were celebrating brave pioneers who were proving that content creation could be a real career. Today we’re recognising world-class creators who are building businesses, influencing culture, driving commerce and setting global standards.

"Our responsibility has shifted from legitimising the industry to raising the benchmark for excellence.

"This is no longer about recognising creators for what’s possible. It’s about celebrating those who are setting the standard for the future of marketing, entertainment and entrepreneurship in South Africa.”

The Awards Night

The winners will be announced at a spectacular gala evening on 17 October 2026in Sandton.

Tickets for the awards are now available at here.