The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) has announced that Zoë Modiga will be the headlining performer for its upcoming annual Gala in 2026. The announcement was made on December 12, 2025, and sets the stage for an evening of excellence.

Zoë Modiga : Instagram

The Zeitz MOCAA Gala is an important event on Cape Town’s art calendar. As the museum’s primary annual fundraiser, the Gala will secure resources to advance Zeitz MOCAA’s core mission: to exhibit, collect, preserve, and research contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora. Proceeds directly benefit the museum’s vital curatorial and education programming, ensuring the institution continues to nurture a vibrant artistic ecosystem.

The 2026 Gala is very significant, as it is dedicated to honour the life and legacy of the museum’s late Executive Director and Chief Curator, Koyo Kouoh. The event aims to embody the values she championed: cultural agency, and radical care. . The Gala will also honour Abdoulaye Konaté, Dr. Anita Blanchard, Martin Nesbitt, and Albie Sachs for their contributions to art, philanthropy, and vision.

Zoe and President Macrom : Instagram

Modiga has deep knowledge about classical music, and jazz, giving her a technical depth. She is a great live performer, known for an evocative individualism that extends to her stage fashion and imagery. Her discography, including albums like Yellow: The Novel and Inganekwane, released under her independent label Yelloëwax, is celebrated for being rooted in Afro-realism while pushing the boundaries of global sound. Her work usually contains Zulu lyrics and embraces the Black diaspora.

Zoe : Instagram

The Gala will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026, and is more than just an award ceremony . The evening features art installations, curated decorations, and a vibrant showcase of contemporary African creativity.

Furthermore, the Gala is preceded by some exclusive events that ticket holders will enjoy. The Gala week will focus on cultural and intellectual exchange, attracting art professionals around the world.

Modiga’s performance is about culture that the museum wants to promote. Her presence is about a night where artistic talent meets collective philanthropy, in a bid to broaden engagement with contemporary.

Lauryn Hill’s appearance at this year’s DStv Delicious Festival could have played out like any other major international booking, arriving, rehearsing, performing, then flying out. Instead, her time in Johannesburg unfolded in a way that made South Africans pay attention to more than just the setlist.

After returning home, Hill posted a detailed reflection on her visit. What stood out immediately was her decision to open with an apology in isiZulu. It came across as her recognising the people she was speaking to. From there, she went straight into the parts of the trip that stayed with her, and the picture she painted was far more textured than a typical “thank you, Joburg” message.

Photo: Google

Hill spent time with Ndaba Mandela and members of his family, which she described as grounding and informative. It gave her a clearer sense of the country’s cultural present, not in a ceremonial way, but through straightforward conversations. For someone who rarely explains her movements publicly, the detail in her post hinted at how seriously she engaged with the people she met here.

Her sons, Zion and YG Marley, were active throughout the weekend as well. Together, they teamed up with Grade Africa for a merchandise pop-up. The collaboration wasn’t treated like a quick branding moment. Hill said she took the opportunity to learn from the designers and young creatives involved, and that those discussions mattered to her. It was one of the few times a visiting global artist treated a local fashion partnership as something more than a photo opportunity.

Photo: Google

Hill’s styling choices also drew attention, mainly because they were so specific to the country she was in. She wore a red-and-black Sotho-inspired suit designed by Thebe Magugu, complete with feather detailing and an Isicholo-style headpiece. Her vocalists and dancers wore MaXhosa Africa. These weren’t token nods to local fashion; they were deliberate choices that placed South African designers squarely in view of an international audience.

Photo: Google

Her daughter Sara added another dimension to the trip by visiting a Johannesburg school during their stay. Hill mentioned the visit briefly but clearly, saying it stood out for her family. It was the kind of moment that didn’t show up on festival cameras but still shaped her experience of the city.

When Hill finally took the stage, the festival crowd responded the way you’d expect for someone of her stature. The performance included Wyclef Jean and appearances from her sons, giving the set a mix of nostalgia and a passing of the torch. Festival-goers had waited years for a moment like that, and Hill acknowledged the energy she received from the audience.

Photo: Google

What made her post interesting wasn’t only what she said, but how she said it. She spoke plainly about what she saw, who she met, and what she hoped to return for. That honesty made South Africans feel that she wasn’t just passing through.

For the festival and for Hill, the weekend ended up being more than a booking on a poster. It became a reminder of why international artists still look to South Africa for genuine engagement and why South Africans expect that respect in return.

Thulisile Phongolo was at the National Film and TV Awards South Africa 2025. She came in a bold red gown which drew compliments from guests. Her appearance was strong, and she carried herself with pride. Thulisile’s aura is steady and defines her status in the entertainment industry.

Thulisile Phongolo-M : Instagram

The event was at the State Theatre in Pretoria and brought together top celebrities in the  South African entertainment industry. The ceremony celebrated both long-established icons and rising talents. John Kani, Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela and Jerry Mofokeng received notable recognition at the event. The atmosphere was a combination of nostalgia and positive energy.

Thulisile’s appearance was completely in tune with this significant moment. The red gown she chose was simple in design but powerful in effect. Its clean lines and rich colour matched her understated style, allowing the design to show her natural presence. She moved through the carpet with a steady composure that made the look even more noticeable.

Thulisile Phongolo-M : Instagram

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Her choice of red added a symbolic layer to the moment. Red is a colour associated with strength and clarity, and it suited the tone of an event dedicated to recognising excellence in South African storytelling. Thulisile’s look complemented the wider celebration and became one of the memorable elements of the evening.

Thulisile Phongolo – M : Instagram

The National Film and TV Awards South Africa has shown the importance of honouring legends and new talents. This event highlights that hard work and creativity are appreciated. She represents the steady confidence of an artist who has grown into her profession while remaining true to her craft. Her red gown at the 2025 awards reflected her professionalism and  her ability to express herself.