A high-profile panel of 55 judges from across South Africa’s content, media and entertainment industries will determine this year’s nominees.
Now in its fourth year, the Content Creator Awards continues to shine a light on the people, brands and agencies behind the content shaping South African online culture. The awards exist to give creators genuine opportunities for recognition, collaboration and growth, and a real step forward in their careers.
Entries closed on Sunday 5 July 2026 across most of the awards’ 16 categories, and judging is now underway to determine this year’s nominees.
For the first time in the awards’ history, the Content Creator Awards introduced in-person judging sessions in Johannesburg and Cape Town, complementing two weeks of virtual judging. The new format was a resounding success, earning outstanding feedback from the creators, brands and agencies who took part. The collaborative, face-to-face judging experience added a new dimension to the process and, by all accounts, in-person judging is here to stay.
The Content Creator Awards are proud to confirm a panel of 55 judges for 2026, each bringing extensive experience in their respective industries to the process. It’s a panel built to serve creators on both ends of the spectrum: for emerging creatives, a genuine platform and visibility they might not otherwise have; for established creators, an opportunity to secure international work and recognition.
Among the high-profile names lending their time and expertise to this year’s judging process are
(in alphabetical order):
• Ammarah Issufo: Founder and CEO, Social Influence Capital
• Anele Mgudlwa: Radio 947 / TV Presenter; Co-Owner of Rose & Oaks Media
• K Naomi Phakathi: Brand Strategist, K Naomi
• Khaya Dlanga: CMO, Independent
• Lasizwe Dambuza: Executive Producer, TD Media
• Lebo Lion: Founder, Lion Media Group
• Lesego Tlhabi: Creative Director, The Exceptional Collective
• Lucian Albertyn: Studio & Technical Director & Producer at Expresso and Afternoon Express, Cardova
• Michael Constantinides: Head of Strategy and Client Development, Humanz
• Nadia Jaftha: Creative Director, Ace Labs/Creator.Club
• Nic Burger: Digital Director, Southern Africa, Universal Music
• Nicole Capper Austin: CMO, Cars.co.za
• Nomuzi Mabena: Judge, Nomuzi Mabena Music
• Rae Hargreaves: Head of Marketing, Samsung
• Sanesh Maharaj: Managing Partner for PR & Influence, Ogilvy
They are joined by a wider panel, all of whom have generously given their time and bring extensive experience in their respective industries to the adjudication process.
View the full list of judges HERE
This prestigious panel has the important job of adjudicating entries from all the brilliant creators who have submitted the thumb-stopping, double-tapping, stitch-worthy, meme-making, share-crazy, keeps-us-coming-back-for-more content.
As a not-for-profit initiative, the Content Creator Awards reinvests everything raised back into the creator economy, funding workshops, training and development opportunities that help creators build sustainable, professional careers.
“The calibre of judges we’ve welcomed this year is exceptional. To have such respected names from across the content, media and entertainment industries dedicate their time to the judging process speaks volumes about the reputation the Content Creator Awards has built. Their experience, insight and industry knowledge bring real credibility to the awards and, most importantly, provide meaningful recognition for the creators who are counting on this platform to open doors and create genuine opportunities,” says Manuela Dias de Deus, founder of the Content Creator Awards and One-eyed Jack, the agency behind them.
Once judging has concluded, the nominees will be announced in August 2026. Stay close to the awards on social media and follow #ContentCreatorAwardsSA to be the first to get the news.
It’s also the public’s turn to get judgey. While the panel gets to work behind the scenes, there’s one award only the public can decide: the People’s Choice Award.
The public are being called on to share who’s their ride-or-die creator is, the one they never miss, the one they’re always sharing and the one who deserves a trophy.
To nominate the South African creator South Africans believe deserves a spot on this year’s list of finalists, they simply need to head to contentcreatorawards.co.za by 2 August 2026 to nominate. All it takes is:
• Creator’s name
• Social media handle
Key Dates
• People’s Choice Award entry deadline: 2 August 2026
• Nominee Announcement: August 2026, date TBA
• Workshops & Industry Sessions: August – September 2026
• Awards Ceremony: October 2026