Zoë Announced as Headliner for Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026

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.