The internationally acclaimed Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) hosted its fifth annual gala with a dynamic three-day programme of exhibitions, studio visits, and celebration in Cape Town. This year’s curatorial theme, By the Footsteps of the Beloved, offered a reflective lens through which artists, collectors, and cultural leaders gathered to consider the enduring ties between creativity, history, and community.
Guests travelled from Zimbabwe and Zurich, Nigeria and New York for the immersive programme. Museum Co-Founder and Co-Chair David Green described the intention behind the event as an opportunity for patrons and artists to engage deeply with the museum and the wider Cape Town art ecosystem.
Curated by Hamzeh Alfarahneh, the programme brought together leading cultural practitioners and international collectors through a series of intimate encounters: studio visits with artists, guided exhibition tours, and conversations with curators. Beyond the museum walls, the itinerary extended across the city and into the Cape Winelands, where guests gathered for a party at Hazendal Wine Estate, celebrating both art and South African hospitality.
The gala’s Collateral Programme is one-of-a-kind. As David noted, “No other museum in the world undertakes a multi-day itinerary that activates a city and brings artists, partners, and patrons into proximity with its work.” This approach reflects Zeitz MOCAA’s belief that cultural institutions are built through hospitality, shared responsibility, and sustained relationships.
Fashion also played a role in the festivities, and the gala’s hosts were styled by internationally acclaimed fashion designer Thebe Magugu. Later, award-winning singer and songwriter Zoë Modiga entertained guests with a performance that carried the celebrations late into the night on the museum’s Level 6 dancefloor.
The gala dinner itself was a spectacular affair, complete with music and dance, and the presentation of the evening’s honorary awards. Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté received the Honorary Award for Artistic Excellence, while Dr Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt were co-recipients of the Honorary Award for Philanthropic Achievement. Justice Albie Sachs received the much-deserved Visionary Award for his lifelong commitment to justice, creativity, and freedom of expression.
Fashion also played a role in the festivities, and the gala’s hosts were styled by internationally acclaimed fashion designer Thebe Magugu. Later, award-winning singer and songwriter Zoë Modiga entertained guests with a performance that carried the celebrations late into the night on the museum’s Level 6 dancefloor. The gala dinner itself was a spectacular affair, complete with music and dance, and the presentation of the evening’s honorary awards. Malian artist Abdoulaye Konaté received the Honorary Award for Artistic Excellence, while Dr Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt were co-recipients of the Honorary Award for Philanthropic Achievement. Justice Albie Sachs received the prestigious Visionary Award for his lifelong commitment to justice, creativity, and freedom of expression.
Today, this annual gala remains vital for Zeitz MOCAA, supporting its curatorial and education programmes, artist research initiatives, and learning platforms. Through these efforts, the museum continues to champion contemporary African and diasporic voices while strengthening its role as a vibrant civic space within the global art landscape.
The Zeitz MOCAA Gala Collateral Programme 2026 was made possible through the generous support of BMW South Africa, Bloomberg, Hazendal Wine Estate, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Goodman Gallery, Liza Essers, Southern Guild, Peffers Fine Art, 21 Nettleton, Magugu House, The Silo Hotel, and Igshaan Adams Studio, with special thanks to Hamzeh Alfarahneh, Between Us, Southern Guild, Pumla Maswanganyi, and Thebe Magugu.
The Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026 is proudly supported by BMW South Africa, Hazendal Wine Estate, YourLuxury Africa, Condé Nast, and Ocular Lounge & Events Space.
Image Credit: Ramiie G, courtesy of Zeitz MOCAA.
