In addition, this year's nominees were officially announced as the countdown to the 2026 ceremony officially begins, says the awards.
When the awards launched in 2022, the mission was to celebrate creators at a time when many still had to justify content creation as a legitimate career. Four years later, that conversation has changed.
Currently, the awards recognise the country's most influential creators, the brands and agencies investing in the space, and the work that continues to push the industry forward.
"As the creator economy has evolved, so have the awards," says Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of the awards and Founder of One-eyed Jack. "When we launched these awards, we were celebrating brave pioneers who were proving that content creation could be a real career. Today we're recognising world-class creators who are building businesses, influencing culture, driving commerce and setting global standards.
Our responsibility has shifted from legitimising the industry to raising the benchmark for excellence. This is no longer about recognising creators for what's possible. It's about celebrating those who are setting the standard for the future of marketing, entertainment and entrepreneurship in South Africa."
This year's awards feature 20 categories, all refined to better reflect today's creator landscape. Entry criteria have become more rigorous, with judging criteria developed in collaboration with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB South Africa) to ensure greater consistency, credibility and industry alignment, adds the awards.
An new category, the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, was also announced at the launch and remains open for entries, giving creators one final opportunity to be recognised before entries officially close.
Open to creators of all niches, the category celebrates exceptional content captured on any type of Samsung Galaxy device. The winner will receive a Content Creator Award trophy, as well as a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at approximately R40 999. Entries close on Sunday, 20 September, says the awards.
Samsung Galaxy Announced as Headline Sponsor
Samsung Galaxy was unveiled as title sponsor, signalling the growing confidence major brands have in South Africa's creator economy.
"We're incredibly proud to partner with the Content Creator Awards," says Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa. "Creators are shaping culture, influencing purchasing decisions and redefining storytelling every single day. Samsung Galaxy exists to give creators the technology they need to tell those stories, and we're excited to celebrate the incredible talent driving South Africa's creator economy."
The Awards Night
The winners will be announced at a spectacular gala evening on Saturday, 17 October in Sandton, says the awards.
Press Launch Highlights
The launch itself, hosted by 2022 Content Creator Awards winner Lesego Tlabi, demonstrated the extraordinary momentum behind the awards, drawing a large industry gathering in the programme's history, concludes the awards.
For more information, visit www.contentcreatorawards.co.za. You can also follow the Content Creator Awards on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.
*Image courtesy of contributor