SANAA South African National Artisan Awards horizontal logo — stylised SA monogram in terracotta and gold with the SANAA wordmarkSANAA 2026Artisan Awards

Gallery

Photos, highlights & speeches

A visual record of gala night and the workshops behind the awards.

Gala night slideshow

Red carpet arrivals, guests and the welcome reception.

SANAA 2026 finalists and guests on the red carpet in front of the sponsor wallSANAA 2026 host welcoming guests at the registration desk with event programmes laid outTwo SANAA 2026 nominees posing beside the Department of Higher Education and SANAA bannersGuest in an orange gown on the SANAA 2026 red carpet holding a glass of sparkling wineNominee in a black tuxedo posing on the SANAA 2026 red carpetSmiling guest in a black bow-tie suit on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a tailored suit with checked trousers on the SANAA 2026 red carpetNominee in a velvet blazer smiling on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a blue patterned suit holding a drink on the SANAA 2026 red carpetRows of sparkling wine glasses set out on the welcome table at the SANAA 2026 galaCouple in matching black formal wear arriving on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a beaded black outfit holding a glass on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a bow tie smiling as he walks the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a cream jacket and long black skirt smiling on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuest in a pinstripe blazer and burgundy trousers on the SANAA 2026 red carpetTwo guests in evening gowns walking past SANAA and sponsor flags at the venue entranceTwo young artisans with event lanyards walking into the SANAA 2026 venueYoung artisan with an event lanyard posing on the walkway outside the SANAA 2026 venueTwo young nominees standing together on the red carpet at the SANAA 2026 entranceGuests chatting during the SANAA 2026 welcome receptionTwo SANAA 2026 guests in suits in conversation during the evening receptionGuest in a patterned African shirt speaking with a colleague at the SANAA 2026 receptionSmiling guest in a dark suit greeting fellow attendees at the SANAA 2026 galaGroup of five delegates posing in front of the Department of Higher Education and Training bannerTwo guests posing in front of the It's cool to be an artisan of the 21st Century bannerDHET, SAPCO and partner feather flags outside the SANAA 2026 gala venueGuests laughing together during the SANAA 2026 pre-gala receptionTwo young artisans posing playfully on the red carpet at the sponsor wallThree young nominees posing together on the SANAA 2026 red carpetTwo young TVET students posing on the SANAA 2026 red carpet at the sponsor wallThree young nominees posing together at the sponsor wall on the SANAA 2026 red carpetTwo guests with event lanyards posing on the SANAA 2026 red carpetGuests being welcomed at the SANAA 2026 registration deskDelegates posing in front of the Mining Qualifications Authority partner bannerDHET official in conversation with artisans during the SANAA 2026 receptionCouple in formal wear posing between the Sasol and SANAA bannersTwo guests posing beside the SANAA artisan entrepreneurship bannerThree guests posing in front of the It's cool to be an artisan bannerGuests sharing a laugh during the SANAA 2026 pre-gala receptionVocal trio performing on stage at the SANAA 2026 gala eveningGuests taking a selfie at their table during the SANAA 2026 gala dinnerGuitarist performing with the live band at the SANAA 2026 galaSaxophonist performing on stage at the SANAA 2026 galaWide view of the SANAA 2026 ballroom with green stage lighting and full tablesPacked SANAA 2026 gala ballroom with the trumpet performance on the big screenGuests in conversation at their table during the SANAA 2026 gala programmeDelegates seated at a decorated table at the SANAA 2026 gala dinnerTwo guests talking across the table during the SANAA 2026 gala eveningGuests greeting each other between tables at the SANAA 2026 galaThe live band performing from the side of the stage at the SANAA 2026 galaSaxophonist performing for the seated audience at the SANAA 2026 galaGuests in formal wear talking around a gala dinner tableDelegates in conversation at a gold-draped gala tableTwo guests sharing a laugh over dinner at the galaTwo attendees deep in conversation during the gala dinnerGuest smiling towards the camera while holding the digital programmeGuests seated together under green stage lighting at the galaGuests arriving through the ballroom entrance for the gala dinnerSenior officials standing during the opening of the SANAA 2026 galaDelegates standing for the national anthem at the SANAA 2026 galaGuests standing at their table during the opening of the SANAA 2026 galaSenior delegates standing for the national anthem in the gala ballroomThe live band and vocalists performing on stage at the SANAA 2026 galaGuests seated at a candlelit table watching the awards ceremonyTwo guests sharing a light moment during the awards programmeA couple watching the SANAA 2026 awards presentation from their tableA speaker addressing the audience from the podium in front of the SANAA backdropWide view of the ballroom as a speaker addresses guests from the stageThe audience listening to a keynote address at the SANAA 2026 galaThe programme director welcoming guests from the SANAA podiumGuest watching the awards presentation from a reserved tableA speaker addressing guests from the podium beside the sponsor bannersGuests enjoying conversation during the gala dinner servicePlated starter course served on gold chargers at the SANAA gala dinnerThe SANAA organising team posing together in front of the sponsor wallGuests greeting each other with a handshake during the galaDelegates in conversation over dinner at the SANAA 2026 galaPerformer on stage in front of the SANAA screens during the programmeGuests laughing together while watching the awards ceremonyA guest smiling as he watches the SANAA 2026 awards presentationProgramme director addressing guests from the SANAA podiumSpeaker at the podium beside the illuminated SANAA backdropSenior official delivering a keynote address on stageGuest speaker addressing the audience with a handheld microphoneMaster of ceremonies smiling while hosting the galaMC presenting from the podium in front of the SANAA screenHost speaking at the podium with the SANAA branding behind himWide view of the ballroom audience listening to the stage addressPacked ballroom watching the address on the big screensGuests greeting each other during the gala eveningTwo delegates in conversation at their table during dinnerGuests chatting over the candlelit dinner serviceAttendees talking beside the gold and floral table settingGuest sharing a laugh with fellow delegates at table 33Speaker addressing the gala from the podium in a yellow outfitOfficial delivering remarks at the SANAA podiumMaster of ceremonies smiling in front of the SANAA backdropHost standing in front of the illuminated SANAA stage wallSenior official speaking at the SANAA podiumDepartmental official addressing guests beside the sponsor bannersOfficials celebrating on stage in front of the SANAA backdropDignitaries dancing on stage during the celebrationSpeaker addressing the gala beside the sponsor banner wallOfficial delivering remarks at the SANAA podiumTwo guests posing together during the gala eveningThree guests posing for a photo at the awards nightPlated main course served on the gold sequin table settingGuest posing in front of the Artisans of the 21st Century bannerGroup of delegates posing together during the celebrationGuests posing for a photo at their dinner table

SANAA 2026 finalists and guests on the red carpet in front of the sponsor wall

Photo gallery

SANAA 2026 committee members grouped in front of the branded awards backdrop
SANAA officials in conversation during a committee meeting in the boardroom
SANAA selection committee chairperson smiling in front of the awards backdrop
Full SANAA 2026 organising committee seated and standing for a group portrait
Two SANAA leaders sharing a light moment before the committee session
SANAA banner reading Changing Artisanal Identity and Status at the venue

Highlights & speeches

HENRI MAFOUMBA: CHAIRPERSON-SANAA SELECTION COMMITTEE

SANAA 2026: First‑Time Nominee Guidance

Deputy Chairperson Nechi Manombe shares key advice:

  • Strong nominations: Present achievements clearly and with impact.
  • Avoid mistakes: Complete all sections, be specific, and meet deadlines.
  • Supporting evidence: Certificates, testimonials, and records make your case stronger.
  • Why SA needs artisans: Skilled artisans fuel innovation, jobs, and national growth.

Let’s celebrate excellence and elevate artisanship across South Africa.

#SANAA2026 #ArtisansOfMzansi #TVETFirstChoice

SABELO BUTHELEZI: CHIEF DIRECTOR-TVET SPECIAL PROJECTS
ZINATHI MBENDENI: SECRETARY GENERAL SANAA COMMITTEE
THAMI NGWENYA: SANAA COMMITTEE MEMBER
FRANCOIS PIENAAR: SANAA COMMITTEE MEMBER
RAJENDRA RAJCOOMAR: SANAA COMMITTEE MEMBER
KULANI BALOYI: SANAA COMMITTEE MEMBER
SIBUSISO HLUBI: SANAA COMMITTEE MEMBER