2026 Content Creator Awards Nominees Announced As Samsung Galaxy Joins As Headline Sponsor

South Africa’s creator economy reached another major milestone today as the 2026 Content Creator Awards officially unveiled this year’s nominees while announcing Samsung Galaxy as its new title sponsor, marking the biggest evolution in the awards’ history. In addition, this year’s nominees were officially announced as the countdown to the 2026 ceremony officially begins.

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.

Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the Awards and Founder of One-eyed Jack, said:

“As the creator economy has evolved, so have the awards. 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.”

This year’s awards feature 20 categories, all refined to better reflect today’s creator landscape. 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.

An exciting new category, the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, was also announced at the launch 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.

Samsung Galaxy Announced As Headline Sponsor

Samsung Galaxy was officially unveiled as title sponsor, signalling the growing confidence major brands have in South Africa’s creator economy.

Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Content Creator Awards. 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 Awards Night

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

Tickets for the awards are now available from R395 at Quicket.

Press Launch Highlights

The launch itself, hosted by 2022 Content Creator Awards winner Lesego Tlabi (Coconut Kelz), demonstrated the extraordinary momentum behind the awards, drawing one of the largest industry gatherings in the programme’s history.

2026 CONTENT CREATOR AWARDS 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 Tshika
  • Ikho
  • 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

About the Content Creator Awards
Now in its fourth year, the Content Creator Awards celebrate South Africa’s leading digital creators, alongside the brands and agencies helping shape the country’s rapidly growing creator economy. Registered as a non-profit organisation, the awards reinvest sponsorship and partnership revenue into initiatives that support education, collaboration and growth across the creator industry.

Official Partners:
Samsung Galaxy – Title Sponsor, YouTube – YouTube Creator of the Year Award (TBC Category), Telkom – Best Online Series Award, 947 – Sound of Tomorrow Award, eVOD – Official Broadcast Partner, Cars.co.za – Automotive Award, The Creator Club – Emerging Creator Award Partner, and One-eyed Jack – Founders and Official Marketing and Production Agency.

Supporting Partners:
Humanz – AI Data Analytics Partner and Ray-Ban – Official Eyewear Partner

Connect with Content Creator Awards on Social:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | LinkedIn | Hashtags: #ContentCreatorAwardsSA

The Content Creator Awards are impartial and reputable, and the brainchild of award-winning marketing and events agency One-eyed Jack.