The 2026 Content Creator Awards have revealed this year’s nominees, with Samsung Galaxy joining as the new title sponsor. The partnership marks a major milestone for the awards, which have grown alongside South Africa’s creator economy over the past four years.
Launched in 2022, the awards set out to give content creators the recognition they deserved at a time when turning content creation into a full-time career was still met with doubt. Since then, the industry has moved forward, with creators building businesses, shaping culture and opening up new opportunities for brands.
Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the Awards and One-eyed Jack, says the focus has shifted from proving that content creation is a legitimate career to recognizing those raising the bar across marketing, entertainment and entrepreneurship. As she puts it, the awards now celebrate creators who are “building businesses, influencing culture, driving commerce and setting global standards”.
This year’s programme features 20 categories designed to better reflect the changing creator landscape. The entry requirements have also become stricter, with judging criteria developed alongside the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB South Africa) to strengthen consistency, credibility and industry relevance.
There is also a new opportunity for creators to get involved before entries close. The newly introduced #CapturedWithGalaxy Award remains open for submissions, giving creators one last chance to enter.
The category welcomes creators from all niches and celebrates standout content filmed using any Samsung Galaxy device.
The winner will take home a Content Creator Award trophy and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at approximately R40,999.
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/#/.
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
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 organization, the awards reinvest sponsorship and partnership revenue into initiatives that support education, collaboration and growth across the creator industry.