Across South Africa, people are quietly working in their communities – empowering young people, supporting women, improving access to healthcare, developing rural communities, building businesses and caring for people who are often overlooked.
The work may not always make national headlines, but the South African Heroes Awards (SAHAs) is putting some of these change makers in the spotlight.
The awards, now in their eighth year, have announced the nominees for the 2026 edition, with public voting opening on 20 August.
For Founder and Director, Amanda Matshaka, the growing number of nominations over the years is a sign that more South Africans are taking action in their own communities.
“As the awards have progressed and grown over the years, more and more people who are making a difference in their communities are being nominated in the various categories,” Matshaka says.
To her, that growth speaks not only to the impact of the awards, but also to an increasing number of people who are choosing to become part of the solution. “It speaks to the impact of the awards and to the more people who are taking it upon themselves to be the change they want to see.”
This year’s nominations cover nine categories, including Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Rural Development, Community Health, Business Empowerment, Specialised Care, Community Service, Community Journalist of the Year and Community Media of the Year. Recognising communities that are often overlooked.
Two categories have particularly stood out to Matshaka this year: Rural Development and Specialised Care. “The growth of the Rural Development and Specialised Care categories is outstanding and points to the care now extended to people deemed forgotten,” she says.
Rural development remains a challenge in many parts of the country, and Matshaka says it is encouraging to see ordinary South Africans taking it upon themselves to help facilitate change in areas where development has historically been slow.
The same applies to specialised care, where nominees are working with people who may otherwise struggle to receive the attention and support they need.
“The care that is also extended to people with special needs is commendable, Matshaka says. The two categories are just part of a much wider picture reflected in this year’s nominations.
There are people working to empower women, organisations investing in young people, entrepreneurs creating opportunities through business, health advocates tackling issues ranging from mental health to endometriosis, and journalists and media platforms helping communities stay informed and connected. Together, the nominees offer a snapshot of the many ways South Africans are contributing to their communities.
Here are the 2026 nominees:
Women Empowerment
- Sifa Vallery Tema
- Pastor Bulelwa Okoh – Treasured Women International
- Phinah Kodisang
- Rebaone Diphoko
- Roslyn Moodley
- Nthabiseng – The Chosen Wives
- Zama Khumalo – KZN Tech Mbokodo
- Ntombikayise Ngonyama – Her Voice, Her Cycle Foundation
- Mapule Mthimkhulu – GMM Buy Back Centre
- Tshepo Mathari – ICT Dynamic Women
Youth Empowerment
- Endulwini Dancers – Vusi Reshumela
- Sakhulutsha Multi Art – Siphokazi Ngwenya
- ZA Powerhouse – Zanele Phakathi
- Prince Rivoningo Gift Mtolo – Dr Oscar Makhubele Foundation
- Roscoe Williams – Read to Rise
- Palesa Thulo – Rose Gold Models
- Motheo Youth and Child Development Organization – Leeuw Johannes
- Euginia S. Mokone – EM Global Group
- Precious Singita Chauke – Singie Johns Foundation
- Vinoni Nkosi – KwaGuqa Arts Initiative
Rural Development
- Nomtiti Cultural Ensemble
- Masonwabe Fuma – Sakhulutsha eAfrika
- Sibusisiwe Myeni – Imbeleko Foundation
- Sifiso Ernest Nomazombelana – Thembisile and Thandie NPC
- Esmarelda Van Zyl Killian – WAS Foundation
Business Empowerment
- Kutlwano Moloi – Moloi Business Leadership Firm
- Prudence Modima Maphutha – Maphutha Business Enterprise
- Stokvel Talk
- Mable Nzalama Mabaso – M.N. Vibranium Construction Services
- Mlondolozi Mokoena – Asante Publishers
- Keotshepile Jonathan – Jonoago Group
- Maureen Taaibos – Sales with Maureen
- Zakhele Mabhena – Mabhena Textile Creations
- Andronicah Queen Mokoena – Intellect Cyber Lounge
- Thapelo Vincent Motaung – Mind Think Institute
Specialised Care
- Mahlogonolo Ngoepe – Social Skills Foundation
- Betty Lekgetho – Masechaba Foundation
- Ayanda Gumede – The Art Club Foundation
- Naomi Schauer – San Salvador Community Hub
- Thandekile Khumalo – Para’ demics Edu Centre
Community Service
- Dr Nadia Bernon – Newlands East Human Society
- Prudence Mncube – Genius Angels Youth Centre the Legacy
- Afika Yose – Black Panther Centre
- Khanya Qongqo – Harare Can
- Limpho Aishah Letlala – Nyota Social Programme
- Siya Hlongwa – Resilience Rising Institute
- Sithembile Charity Linda – Linda Legacy Foundation
- Tshegofatso Mamabolo – Mamabolo Seed Foundation
- Mabu Molefi – Ruth K Foundation
Community Health
- Kgaogelo Photoane – Kgosi Life Coaching
- Dr Mbilaelo Tshamiswe – Urangani Professional Development
- Liam Du Preez Paterson – Resurrection Files AIDS Ark Fundraiser
- Candice Legodi – Stanley Candice Foundation Centre
- Noelene Kotschan – Pink Drive NPC
- Zonwabele Tshayana – Mind and Soul Foundation
- Thabo Matsaseng – Professor Matsaseng Foundation
- Nomonde Ngema – Her Voice Fund
- Coach Sabelo Phungwayo – Mend Worx Empowerment
- Bontle Moka – Heal Endo Movement Endometriosis
Community Journalist of the Year
- Eric Phiri
- Bongekile Gumede
- Brent Lindique
- Kabelo Lekgothoane
- James Seetelo
- Nthabiseng Maponya
- Sinenzolo Mondi
- Mbongiseni Mkhatshwa
- Comfort Tsholofelo Makhanya
- Tshepo Mathari – Alex FM
Community Media of the Year
- Stokvel Talk
- Good Things Guy
- Insight Sportcast
- KHD Radio Station
- Radio for a Purpose
- Soweto Sunrise News
- Justify Podcast
- Cosmo City Chronicle
- GroundUp
- Bush Radio FM
Voting is now open
Public voting opened on 20 August and will close on 20 November 2026.
Members of the public can vote for their preferred nominee by sending the nominee’s unique voting code via SMS to 47439.
Each SMS counts as one vote and costs R3.
Free SMSes do not apply.
The 2026 awards ceremony will take place in Johannesburg in November, with the date and venue still to be confirmed. For Matshaka, however, the significance of the awards goes beyond who ultimately takes home a trophy.
The growing list of nominees is evidence of people choosing to step forward and make a difference where they are.
Finally, this year’s nominees show that there is no single way to be a hero – sometimes it is through a business, a community project, a health initiative, a news story, a radio station or simply deciding that a problem in your community is worth doing something about.
By Sinentlahla Mbokwe
