Media release

Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026 to Honour Abdoulaye Konaté, Dr Anita Blanchard, Martin Nesbitt, and Albie Sachs – Celebrating Art, Philanthropy, and Vision in the Spirit of Koyo Kouoh

(Cape Town, Tuesday, 18 November 2025): One of the most anticipated and unmissable events on the African continent, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) today announces the 2026 Zeitz MOCAA Gala honourees and host committee for an electrifying celebration of artistic excellence and collective generosity set to take place on Friday, 20 February 2026.

Within the beautiful landscape of Cape Town, South Africa, and during Cape Town Art Week, the Gala will pay tribute to Abdoulaye Konaté, recipient of the Honorary Award for Artistic Excellence; Dr Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt, who will receive the Honorary Award for Philanthropic Achievement; and Justice Albie Sachs, who will be honoured with the Visionary Award. Together, these honourees embody the transformative power of creativity, generosity, and vision that defines Zeitz MOCAA’s mission to champion contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

Honouring Vision and Legacy

The 2026 Gala carries profound significance as the museum’s first since the passing of Koyo Kouoh, Zeitz MOCAA’s visionary Executive Director and Chief Curator. The Honorary Awards, established under Kouoh’s leadership, stand as a living testament to her bold curatorial spirit and unwavering belief in art’s ability to connect and inspire a broad community.

Abdoulaye Konaté, the acclaimed Malian multidisciplinary artist, is recognised for redefining contemporary African art through monumental textile works that fuse politics, spirituality, and cultural memory. A critical figure in Zeitz MOCAA’s founding story and member of its Global Council, Konaté’s practice resonates deeply with Kouoh’s legacy of dialogue and transformation through art.

Dr Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt are celebrated for their enduring philanthropy and patronage of artists and institutions around the world. Their gift of a Julie Mehretu work to Zeitz MOCAA’s collection exemplifies their commitment to bridging worlds through art and ensuring lasting cultural access. Their friendship with Koyo Kouoh makes this honour especially poignant, reflecting the value of shared visions.

Justice Albie Sachs, renowned jurist, activist, and champion of human rights, will be honoured for his lifelong commitment to justice, creativity, and freedom of expression, Sachs has been a steadfast supporter of Zeitz MOCAA since its inception. His shared belief with Koyo Kouoh in art as a force for truth-telling, civic imagination, and societal transformation is powerfully expressed in Spring Is Rebellious: The Art & Life of Albie Sachs, the landmark exhibition currently on view at Zeitz MOCAA—a testament to the principles that continue to guide the museum’s purpose and spirit.

A Celebration of Creativity and Connection

Guiding the evening’s celebration is Thando Dlomo, South African–born, Emmy Award–winning producer, storyteller, and star of The Woman King. Known for her powerful voice and commanding presence, Dlomo will bring warmth and energy to a night that promises to be as inspiring as it is unforgettable.

The Host Committee brings together a constellation of global cultural figures whose creativity and civic engagement mirror the museum’s mission: Acha Leke, Albie Sachs and Vanessa September, Roger Ross Williams, and Jo-Ann Strauss. Each brings their own history of collaboration with Zeitz MOCAA and a deep connection to Koyo Kouoh’s legacy of innovation and intercultural dialogue.

An Evening to Remember

Guests will step onto the red carpet for a glamorous evening beginning with a cocktail reception in Zeitz MOCAA’s soaring Atrium, followed by a multi-course dining experience in a glittering glass marquee beneath the museum’s iconic silos. The evening will feature captivating live performances and moments of celebration.

Supporting the Future of Contemporary African and Diasporic Art

Proceeds from the Gala directly support Zeitz MOCAA’s curatorial and education programmes, including exhibitions, artist research, and learning initiatives that foster access and inclusion. The Gala ensures that Zeitz MOCAA continues to serve as a vibrant civic space where art empowers communities and amplifies African and diasporic voices on the global stage.

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Zeitz MOCAA Partnerships Manager and director of the annual fundraising Gala, Tiffany Andrews, at tiffany.andrews@zeitzmocaa.museum.

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Please find the media toolkit with media release, biographies, and portraits.

For media enquiries, please contact:

• Evaan Jason Ferreira, Communications Specialist, ferreira@zeitzmocaa.museum
• Esther Henderson, Communications Manager, henderson@zeitzmocaa.museum.

Issued by Zeitz MOCAA Communications.

MEDIA TOOLKIT

About Zeitz MOCAA

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public not-for-profit institution that collects, preserves, researches and exhibits contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and ensures access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating temporary exhibitions with dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the BMW Centre for Art Education and The Atelier, a museum residency programme for artists living and working in Cape Town.

Zeitz MOCAA, situated at the Silo District, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, is open Monday through Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm (last entry at 5.30 pm). zeitzmocaa.museum   

About the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the United States’ largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. mellon.org

About the BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products. www.bmwgroup.com