A firsthand experience of the 2026 Content Creator Awards, from long activation lines to Grace Mondlana’s dual accolades and Yasmin Furmie’s memorable moment.
By the time the final award was presented at The Galleria in Sandton, it was evident to me that the Content Creator Awards have expanded beyond their original confines. Whether this is an achievement or a logistical challenge is subjective and can vary based on your perspective.
An overflow of brands, limited space
With numerous sponsors involved, the Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards were bound to become a puzzle of brand activations. Various stands populated the pre-event area, yet the overwhelming number of attendees created such dense crowds that joining any activation felt like a daunting task.
Even simple things, like grabbing a drink, came with its own delays. The queue at the outdoor bar was considerable, leading me—and seemingly many others—to decide that no brand activation was worth the wait.
The arrangement of the venue didn’t help matters. From my vantage point, it was difficult to discern which brand was offering what or what guests gained by participating. If an activation doesn’t convey its message at first glance, it has failed, even if its purpose is simply to provide a distraction as guests await entry to the main hall.
An impressive show that flowed seamlessly
Then, as the lights dimmed, the evening truly began. Comedian and nominee Mpho “Popps” Modikoane hosted the main event, which appeared to proceed flawlessly despite the number of scheduled cameos. According to the organizers, the entertainment lineup featured Mama Ka Lo kicking things off, a skit from Awkward Dates starring Lasizwe and Cedric Fourie, a medley performed by six nominees from the 947 Sound of Tomorrow category, and a dance act featuring nominee Benny Jnr, who returned for the evening’s finale.
Mpho Popps, who is known for reusing material during his hosting gigs, surprised everyone with an entirely new repertoire of jokes for this event, which was also recorded for airing on eMedia’s platform, eVOD.
Grace Mondlana’s shining moment
When I covered Grace Mondlana’s nominations back in August, the question remained if her supporters would truly mobilize to vote. This year, she was arguably one of the most discussed personalities on social media, and the results confirmed her status.
She secured both the Trendsetter Award and the Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award. Her achievement for the Creator of the Year Award included a prize package valued at over R70 000, as noted on the CCA website.
Entering with three nominations, she walked away with two accolades. The third honor, the BYD People’s Choice Award, was awarded to Olwethu Ncapayi, highlighting that even a dominant social media presence cannot clinch every title, and that an ordinary content creator with genuine and relatable material can find success too.
While Mondlana had the headlines, the Style Award went to Yasmin Furmie, who captured the audience’s affection. Nominated by her son, she received one of the loudest cheers of the night when her name was announced, and the applause continued long after she stepped onto the stage.
The winners of the Content Creator Awards 2026 are as follows:
- 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
Beyond the awards
The rewards and gift packages for the winners serve as a compelling reason for aspiring creators to participate next year, and as a program now supported by Samsung Galaxy, that continual engagement is vital. As founder Manuela Dias de Deus expressed, this collaboration marks an exciting advancement for the awards.
Where WAV Festival took center stage
Following a few hours dedicated to honoring achievements, attendees had the opportunity to soak up the ambiance at the official afterparty – where WAV Festival’s organizers showcased the evening’s most captivating performance.
WAV is an R&B-centered festival organized by Africa Creative Agency and The Malachite Group. Its inaugural event on January 2, 2026, at Green Point Track attracted, according to the organizers, over 8,000 participants. The next edition is scheduled for January 2027 in Cape Town. What I witnessed in Sandton served as a sneak peek, a strategic push to highlight contemporary R&B in the lead-up to the main festival.
DJ Teddy (real name Tumi Sithebe) launched the festivities with smooth tracks from some of today’s top artists, prompting attendees to gradually make their way to the dance floor. Following him were performances from Venom, DJ Radix, Count Lupa, and DJ Ethan.
At this point, the crowd had significantly dwindled, providing guests an opportunity to truly experience the festival’s musical vibe while enjoying some well-timed snacks and refreshments.
