South African comedy veterans Leon Schuster and Alfred Ntombela have been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).
The longtime collaborators were recognised during the awards ceremony at Sun City over the weekend for their contribution to South Africa’s entertainment industry.
The honours formed part of the Ministerial Awards presented by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie.
Schuster accepts award by video
Schuster was unable to attend the ceremony in person and accepted the recognition through a video message.
He described receiving the award as a humbling moment after decades of working in South African entertainment.
Ntombela attended the ceremony and accepted his award in person. He also paid tribute to Schuster and reflected on the role his longtime collaborator played in his career.
The pair have worked together for decades and became familiar faces to South African audiences through films including Sweet ’n Short, Mr Bones, Mama Jack and Frank and Fearless.
Their on-screen partnership became one of the most recognisable combinations in local comedy.
NACA celebrates creative talent
The 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards also recognised 20 winners across six competitive categories covering Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft, Design, Performing Arts, Audio Visual and Literary.
Gallery MOMO received the Outstanding Art Gallery Award, while David Tlale was named Outstanding Fashion/Textile Designer.
Actor Themba Ndaba received the Outstanding Actor in Theatre Award.
Other winners included musician Sisa Benjamin Zako, poet Koleka Putuma, dancer and choreographer Gregory Maqoma, actress Zenande Mfenyana and publisher Jacana Media.
South African icons recognised
The competitive awards were separate from the Ministerial Awards, which honoured established figures for their contribution to the country’s arts and cultural landscape.
Alongside Schuster and Ntombela, recipients included Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr Rebecca Malope, Alec Khaoli, Dr Miriam Makeba, Mduduzi Tshabalala, Don Mattera and Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
The award adds another honour to Schuster’s decades-long career in South African film and comedy while recognising the partnership he built with Ntombela on screen.