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This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the Singularity Summit South Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, representing my wife, Mishkah Roman-Cassiem, and her online publication, Mzansi Life & Style.
Now in its eighth edition in South Africa, the Summit has established itself as an important gathering for people interested in exponential technologies, innovation and the future of business. The 2026 event brought together more than 40 speakers from around the world, attracting business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, technology specialists and innovators who are exploring how emerging technologies will shape the way we live and work.
My initial reason for attending was to explore the exhibition area and discover exciting new technologies that might appeal to the everyday Mzansi Life & Style reader. I was particularly interested in seeing what new innovations were available and finding interesting stories that we could share with our audience.
However, what I discovered was something quite different from what I had expected.
South Africa’s content creator industry came together in spectacular style for the 2026 Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards which was an unforgettable evening celebrating the talent, creativity and influence of the people shaping the country’s digital culture.
Held at The Galleria in Sandton and hosted by the hilarious Mpho ‘Popps’ Modikoane, the star-studded event brought together some of the country’s most exciting creators, entertainers, industry leaders and brand partners for a night packed with showstopping performances and well-deserved recognition.
Among the evening’s biggest winners were Grace Mondlana, who took home both the Trendsetter Award and the coveted Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award, and Vafa Naraghi, who claimed the Best Social Series Award and the Thumbstopping Award. Their wins highlighted the incredible range of talent driving South Africa’s creator economy, from standout social storytelling to the personalities setting the pace for what comes next.
The evening was a powerful reminder of what happens when the creator community comes together to celebrate its own. With everyone from established digital stars to emerging voices in attendance, the awards platform continues to create space for creators to be recognised, supported and celebrated for the work they bring to audiences every day.
A NIGHT OF SHOWSTOPPING ENTERTAINMENT
The entertainment was every bit as impressive as the talent in the room. Mama Ka Lo (Sizakele Ndaba) set the tone by opening the show, while a video skit from Dan Corder and an Awkward Dates skit featuring Lasizwe and Cedric Fourie brought plenty of humour to the evening.
Music took centre stage with a special medley by six nominees in the 947 Sound of Tomorrow category. Chesrae Megan, Carter Najar, Lordkez, Lukiemusic, Mikhalé Jones and Teagan’s Things each brought their own sound and energy to the showstopping performance.
The dance nominees also joined forces for a special live performance, with Chad Jones, Benny Jnr, Ludopie, Rudi Smit and TDO Thando taking to the stage. Choreographed by nominee Benny Jnr, the performance had audiences hooked and showcased the creativity and skill of some of South Africa’s most exciting dance creators. Benny Jnr also returned for the show’s epic finale, helping close the evening on a high.
The awards were presented by a line-up of familiar faces from entertainment, media and the brand partners involved. This year’s presenter line-up included Grace Mondlana, Devi Govender, Lesego Tlhabi, Donovan Goliath, Nadia Jaftha, Reece Meyer, Courtnaé Paul, Ndabe Zondi, Banele Ndaba, Sphokuhle N, Lebo Lion, Twala Ng’ambi, Lorraine Landon, Samsung’s Rae Hargreaves & Kayleigh Weelson, BYD’s Tebatso Boholo, Cars.co.za’s Nicole Capper, and Telkom’s Inga Fundakubi.
THE 2026 SAMSUNG GALAXY CONTENT CREATOR AWARDS WINNERS
The awards recognised talent across 20 categories, from comedy and music to branded content, social series and automotive content.
This year’s winners are:
Dance Creator Award – Chad Jones Style Award – Yasmin Furmie 947 Sound of Tomorrow Award – Mikhalé Jones Best Social Series Award – Vafa Naraghi Best Creator x Brand Collaboration Award – Nabilah Kariem for Le Creuset Expert Voices Award – Miss Angler Telkom Best Online Series Award – The Adventures of Noko Mashaba Trendsetter Award – Grace Mondlana Podcast of the Year Award – SMWX Podcast Best Comedy Content Creator Award – Ikho Kweba Thumbstopping Award – Vafa Naraghi Wildcard Award – Lindokuhle Madlingozi (@Lindosasmr) Cars.co.za Automotive Content Award – Tebogo Moropa BYD People’s Choice Award – Olwethu Ncapayi Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award – Grace Mondlana Emerging Creator Award, backed by Creator Club – Sine Mbangata (@Sine_rsa_) YouTube Creator of the Year Award – Lasizwe Impact Creator Award – Joshua Rubin (@Joshwideawake) Excellence in Branded Content Award – Oliver Agency for Cleanipedia presents Bakhombise #CapturedWithGalaxy Award – Katlego Lekoba
This year’s awards also marked an exciting new chapter for the platform through its partnership with Samsung Galaxy. For creators, the tools used to capture, edit and share content are an important part of the creative process. The partnership puts that relationship in the spotlight, recognising the role technology plays in helping creators bring their ideas to life.
“What a night! Seeing so much talent in one room, and watching the industry come together to celebrate the people behind some of South Africa’s most exciting content, was really special. From the performances to the winners, there was so much to celebrate,” says Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the Content Creator Awards and Founder of One-eyed Jack. “Our partnership with Samsung Galaxy is an exciting next step for the Content Creator Awards. For creators, a smartphone is such an important part of the creative process, and Samsung Galaxy is proving to be the ultimate companion for capturing ideas and bringing them to life. We’re looking forward to what we can build together and how this partnership can continue to support South Africa’s creator community.”
Big nights need big backing. Thank you to Samsung, BYD, Cars.co.za, Telkom, YouTube, 947, eVOD, LIFT, One-eyed Jack, The Creator Club, Ray-Ban, WAV Festival, Bernini , Converse and Humanz for making it possible.
If you think you’ve experienced a festival before, think again.
There are festivals, and then there is The Luxurious Marble Circus.
Following two sold-out seasons that have reimagined what a South African festival can be, The Luxurious Marble Circus returns to Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift on 26 and 27 September 2026, promising two days of flavour, fashion, music, theatre, spectacle, creativity — and plenty of play. This year, the extraordinary has a name: Evophoria.
As artificial intelligence and exponential technologies are quietly reshaping industries, business models and the global economy, organisations face a growing challenge: deciding where the real opportunities lie and how quickly to act on them.
These questions will be at the heart of Singularity Summit South Africa 2026, which has unveiled its full programme, ahead of the Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October.
Presented in collaboration with Old Mutual, event sponsors Google Cloud and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and metaverse partner UBU, this year’s Summit will bring together over 40 speakers from around the world to examine the technologies, ideas and shifts influencing the future of business and society.
This Heritage Month, experience a vibrant celebration where culture, community and connection take centre stage.
For more than 5,000 years, Hindu civilisation has made an extraordinary contribution to the world, shaping everything from philosophy, mathematics and medicine to art, architecture, music and spirituality. This September, South Africans will have the opportunity to experience this rich and living heritage in a uniquely local setting as the Hindu Cultural Festival of South Africa returns for its third edition.
Taking place on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane, the festival promises a spectacular day of colour, flavour, music, dance and cultural discovery.
