Each year, Cape Town’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) becomes one of the continent’s most glamorous cultural stages. In 2026, the annual Zeitz MOCAA Gala reaches new heights, with award-winning South African singer, songwriter, and performer Zoë Modiga taking centre stage as the exclusive headline act on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Renowned for her genre-defying sound — a captivating fusion of jazz, soul, African rhythms and experimental performance — Zoë is a singular force in contemporary African music. Her performances transcend the stage, weaving storytelling, spirituality and sonic sophistication into every note.
Following the release of her acclaimed third studio album Nomthandazo, her recognition as a Spotify EQUAL Africa ambassador, major headline appearances across the country, performances at leading continental music showcases, and her 2025 accolade as the SA Style Awards’ “Most Stylish Performing Artist in Music”, underline the cultural impact she continues to make.
For Gala guests, her performance promises far more than entertainment. It is set to be an immersive, emotionally-charged experience — one that mirrors the museum’s own commitment to bold expression, depth and dialogue.
An Evening of Elegance, Recognition and Cultural Exchange
The Zeitz MOCAA Gala is as much a celebration of generosity and vision as it is of artistic excellence. The evening unfolds with a glamorous red-carpet arrival, followed by a sparkling Hazendal MCC reception in the museum’s iconic Atrium.
Guests will then be seated for a bespoke multi-course dining experience framed by the breathtaking architecture of the historic grain silos — an unmistakable Cape Town setting that continues to captivate international audiences.
A defining moment of the night will be the presentation of the Zeitz MOCAA Honorary Awards, recognising individuals whose contributions have meaningfully shaped cultural, civic and artistic discourse. In 2026, honours will be bestowed on Abdoulaye Konaté, Dr Anita Blanchard, Martin Nesbitt, and Justice Albie Sachs.
Photo: Supplied.
Photo: Supplied.
Photo: ©Jonathon Rees
Guiding the evening’s programme is Gala MC Thando Dlomo, the Emmy Award–winning South African storyteller and producer, alongside an esteemed Gala Host Committee that includes Acha Leke, Albie Sachs and Vanessa September, Roger Ross Williams, and Jo-Ann Strauss.
Photo: Courtesy of Acha Leke.
Photo: Ramiie G, courtesy of Zeitz MOCAA.
Photo: Heather Shuker
Photo: Supplied
Adding a refined sartorial layer to the occasion, internationally celebrated fashion designer Thebe Magugu will curate the styling of the Gala hosts, bringing his signature Afro-modernist elegance to the night.
Photo: Supplied.
A Gathering of Africa’s Creative Luminaries
The guest list reflects the depth and dynamism of Zeitz MOCAA’s cultural ecosystem. Among those in attendance will be artists and curators whose work continues to shape contemporary African art, including Rita Mawuena Benissan, Zohra Opoku, Lerato Shadi, Berni Searle, and Tandazani Dhlakama, now Curator of Global Africa at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. Their presence underscores the Gala’s role as both a celebration and a meeting point for the continent’s most influential creative voices.
Beyond One Night: A Weekend of Art and Access
Timed to coincide with Cape Town Art Week, the Gala anchors a three-day cultural programme running from 20 to 22 February 2026. Curated by art advisor Hamzeh Alfarahneh, the Zeitz MOCAA Gala Collateral Programme offers guests privileged access to studio visits, gallery walkabouts, curator-led tours, and thought-provoking discussions that deepen engagement with South Africa’s vibrant art landscape.
Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, this immersive weekend positions the Gala not simply as an event, but as the centrepiece of Cape Town’s cultural calendar.
Supporting the Future of Contemporary African Art
At its core, the Zeitz MOCAA Gala is a fundraiser with impact. Proceeds directly support the museum’s curatorial, education and research programmes, ensuring Zeitz MOCAA remains a vital space dedicated to amplifying African and diasporic voices globally.
In 2025, these efforts enabled the Atelier Residency Programme, major exhibitions accompanied by symposia and monographs, and the commissioning of a new large-scale work for the Atrium.
In 2026, guests will also have the opportunity to support MOCAA on the Move, a mobile art classroom initiative by the Zeitz MOCAA Centre for Art Education, designed to extend access to art education far beyond the walls of the museum.
An Invitation to Be Part of Something Enduring
To attend the Zeitz MOCAA Gala is to participate in a night where beauty, purpose and creativity intersect — and where patronage directly shapes the future of contemporary African art. With Zoë Modiga headlining the event, visionary leaders and artists in attendance, and an atmosphere defined by elegance and meaning, the 2026 Gala stands as one of the year’s most sought-after invitations. Attendance is limited, with reservations now open.
YLA is a proud media partner for this prestigious Gala. For more information, contact Tiffany Andrews, Partnerships Manager and Director of the Zeitz MOCAA Gala at: [email protected]
