Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026 | Friday, 20 february
Zeitz MOCAA is honoured to announce its Annual Gala, taking place on Friday, 20 February 2026. This year’s Gala is more than a celebration—it is a profound moment of reflection and tribute, marking the first since the passing of our beloved Executive Director and Chief Curator, Koyo Kouoh. Held in her honour, the Gala will foreground the legacy of a woman whose vision reshaped the museum and left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of our time.
The Zeitz MOCAA Gala is the museum’s annual fundraiser and draws a global, regional and local audience of patrons, philanthropists, practitioners, collectors and cultural luminaries. The Gala is crucial in advancing the institution’s mission to exhibit, collect, preserve and research contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Proceeds from the Gala directly benefit the museum’s curatorial and education programming, enabling the institution to conceive and host international exhibitions; develop supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourage intercultural understanding; and ensure access for all.
koyo kouoh (1967 - 2025)
A defining voice in contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, Koyo championed a curatorial practice rooted in criticality, care, and cultural agency. Her uncompromising belief in the power of art to shift narratives, build institutions, and provoke necessary dialogue transformed Zeitz MOCAA into a leading platform for critical dialogue and artistic excellence on the continent and beyond.
To honour Koyo’s leadership and continue the work she championed, Zeitz MOCAA will launch the Koyo Kouoh Legacy Fund at the 2026 Gala. This donor-facing initiative will sustain and grow programmes aligned with her values and curatorial vision, celebrate her impact through high-visibility tributes, and build momentum for the museum’s future capital campaign.
Photographed by Imraan Christian
Zeitz MOCAA has always been a museum with a bold vision.
As we look ahead, that vision is more ambitious and expansive than ever: to push boundaries, amplify
African voices, and create a museum experience deeply rooted in Africa while engaging in global conversations
A museum is only as strong as the community that supports it, and we are incredibly fortunate to have champions
across the world who believe in our mission.
The future of contemporary art in Africa is unfolding before us, and Zeitz MOCAA is ready to lead the way.
Madame Koyo
Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2025
join us in celebrating the artistic excellence
of africa and its diaspora
Your Gala Ticket Contribution Includes:
Exclusive Access to the Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026
A premier fundraising evening featuring curated art, design, entertainment, and a celebration of contemporary African creativity.
Invitation to the Collateral Programme
A curated series of events leading up to the Gala, including:
– Artist studio visits
– Private collection viewings
– Conversations with curators and thought leaders
– Cocktail receptions and cultural experiences across Cape Town
VIP Access to Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF)
Includes preview evening and priority access to selected fair programming
Support for Zeitz MOCAA’s Mission
Your contribution directly supports:
– Exhibitions and educational programming
– Artist residencies and community engagement
– The long-term sustainability of Africa’s leading contemporary art institution
For reservations or additional information, please contact Zeitz MOCAA Partnerships Manager and director of the annual fundraising Gala, Tiffany Andrews, at tiffany.andrews@zeitzmocaa.museum.
gala 2025 look-back
donate
Are you unable to attend the Zeitz MOCAA fundraising Gala but would still like to contribute? We welcome your donation in support of our mission to produce and present cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions and art historical knowledge, enhance the careers of Africa’s most talented artists in the 21st century and beyond, strengthen its education programmes and ensuring access for all.
Please click the links below to contact the Institutional Advancement (IA) department to donate towards the museum’s Curatorial and Education programming and Endowment.
TAX BENEFITS when donating to zeitz mocaa's education programming only
Zeitz MOCAA is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). Should you require a Section 18A tax exemption certificate, kindly email accounts@zeitzmocaa.museum.
Our S18A is restricted to donations received for Education purposes ONLY.
If you are a South African Revenue Services (SARS) registered tax payer (company or individual), your bona fide donation to Zeitz MOCAA’s education Public Benefit Activities (PBAs) entitle you to a deduction from your taxable income.