The William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG), a proud entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Outstanding Museum Award in the Heritage category at the 2nd Annual National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), held in Sun City, North West, on 22 August 2025.

This marks the first time WHAG has received this prestigious recognition. The museum was shortlisted alongside esteemed institutions including the KwaZulu-Natal Museum and the War Museum of the Boer Republics. The winners were announced at a ceremony broadcast live on SABC 1 on 23 August 2025.

Nominations for NACA 2025 were open nationwide from 5 May to 30 June 2025, with individuals and groups invited to nominate outstanding institutions and artists across a range of categories in the cultural and creative industries sector. The final nominees were revealed on 5 August 2025.

WHAG’s nomination was supported by multiple submissions from the public and substantiated by the museum’s recent exhibitions, community outreach programmes, and education initiatives. The award recognises WHAG’s ongoing commitment to curatorial excellence, innovation, and accessibility. The museum continues to preserve and interpret South Africa’s rich art history while creating spaces for dialogue, contemporary art development and empowerment, and social cohesion.

At the ceremony, WHAG was represented by Malikah Meyer, Assistant Curator, and Lelethu Sobekwa, Creative Writing Intern. Accepting the award, Meyer remarked:
“The William Humphreys Art Gallery will continue to strive to be a museum of excellence, both nationally and internationally.”

Reflecting on the award, Chief Curator Chepape Makgato added: “This award affirms our role as a dynamic national museum. We are deeply grateful to our Council members, management, and media partners who continually amplify our work beyond the walls of our museum. Their support ensures that the voices and visions we showcase in Kimberley resonate across the country and the world. We remain committed to building new collaborations and are open to more partnerships that will take the work we do as a national museum even further.”

As one of South Africa’s leading cultural institutions and a DSAC entity, WHAG remains committed to being an accessible national museum that not only curates exhibitions but also serves as a vital platform for reflection on significant cultural and societal issues. The museum continues to be a cornerstone of Kimberley’s arts and culture landscape, inspiring creativity and dialogue across communities.

For further information, please contact:
Malikah Meyer
Email: malikah@whag.co.za | Tel: 053 811 1724

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