The winners of the 2nd Annual South Africa Fashion Awards (SAFA) were revealed at the Infinity Theatre, Hotel Sky Sandton. The ceremony was broadcast live on Channel ONE Africa.
The second annual South Africa Fashion Awards took place on Saturday, 3 October at Hotel Sky in Sandton, with a black-tie, fashion-glamour dress code. The evening was a night of iconic looks, excitement and appreciation, and this year’s edition widened the field with two new categories, Best Fashion Campaign and Fashion Executive of the Year.
Among the big wins, Kim Jayde took Best Fashion Icon, and Palesa Mokubung was named Best Fashion Designer, the first African designer to collaborate with H&M. Lethabo Motlale was honoured as Best Stylist, and Lwandle Ngwenyana won Best Female Model.
Hosted by Tyron Gordon Williams and Taylo Edith Mannetti, the evening honoured designers, models, stylists, photographers, beauty brands and retailers across 21 publicly voted categories. Winners were chosen by public vote through the official SAFA website.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Honourable Peace Mabe, delivered the opening address and presented the Fashion Entrepreneurship Award.
The 2026 winners
Category Winners
- Best Fashion Designer Palesa Mokubung
- Best Emerging Fashion Designer Tebogo Selebi
- Best Stylist Lethabo Motlatle
- Best Fashion Influencer Kefilwe Mabote
- Best Fashion Icon Kim Jayde
- Best Male Model Bethel Sanza
- Best Female Model Lwandle Maluvá Ngwenya
- Best Modelling Agency Boss Models
- Best Hairstylist Kelvin Takudzwa
- Best Makeup Artist Fanyana Maseko
Best Make-Up Brand Signature Cosmetics & Fragrances
Best Skincare Brand Clere Skincare
Best Fashion Photographer Fuaad Abdool
Best Fashion Retailer Woolworths
Best Fashion E-Commerce Brand Woolworths
Best Sustainable Fashion Something Good Studio
Best South African Jewellery Brand Meraki Jewellery Design
Best Streetwear Brand GALXBOY
Best Footwear Brand Veldskoen Shoes
Best Fashion Campaign Foschini × Rich Mnisi – Foschini 100 × RICH MNISI - Fashion Executive of the Year Kaboomo Mgibi-Marshoff, Senior Brand Manager,Skipper Bar
Special Honours
Two Special Honours recognised outstanding contributions to the industry:
- Fashion Entrepreneurship Award: Thatiso Dube, presented by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe
- Modelling Industry Legacy Award: Joani Johnson, for more than two decades of shaping South Africa’s modelling industry
“Congratulations to every winner and nominee. South African fashion is creative, entrepreneurial and ready for the world stage, and the public came out in force to vote for the talent they believe in. Thank you to the Honourable Deputy Minister, our partners and everyone who made the night possible,” said Jordan Kensington, Global Director of the World Fashion Awards.
