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.

“As the creator economy has evolved, so have the awards,” said Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the Awards and Founder of 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.”

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.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Content Creator Awards,” said 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 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 at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/391220-content-creator-awards-sponsored-by-samsung/#/.

Press Launch Highlights

The launch itself, hosted by 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

Zayaan

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

Notes to Editors

Awards Ceremony

17 October 2026

Sandton, Johannesburg

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

One-eyed Jack – Founders and Official Marketing and Production Agency

Supporting Partners

Humanz – AI Data Analytics Partner

Ray-Ban – Official Eyewear Partner

 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.