The country’s brightest technical talents took centre stage at the South African Artisan Awards (SANAA) 2026, which brought together 14 winners who were celebrated and honoured for their craftsmanship. The awards highlighted the achievements of emerging artisans while spotlighting the important role of their trades in addressing South Africa’s skills challenges, including youth unemployment and economic development.

The celebration also reignited the need for inclusivity in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, which can equip young people with skills for the future.

Held under the theme “Changing Artisanal Identity and Status,” the awards recognise the country’s top artisan talent and highlight the critical role that vocational education and skilled trades play in building South Africa’s economy.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, emphasised that the awards follow the recent TVET Month celebrations, providing a fitting continuation of the country’s commitment to structured workplace training and the development of a skilled workforce.

He called on employers to play a more active role in developing South Africa’s artisan pipeline.

“Employers cannot remain on the sidelines. They must absorb capable graduates and become active partners in shaping the workforce of tomorrow,” he said.

He further challenged TVET colleges to take greater ownership of workplace training by creating opportunities for practical learning within their own institutions and ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and experience required by industry.

This year’s winners were recognised for their performance across a range of artisan trades, as well as the contribution their skills can make to society and the economy.

The Minister congratulated the winners for their dedication, perseverance and excellence, describing them as a powerful demonstration of what vocational education can achieve when young people are allowed to develop and apply their skills.

Manamela concluded by calling on artisans to see their skills as more than a means of earning a living, encouraging them to become active contributors to national development.

Artisans, he said, have an important role to play in building communities, strengthening industries and driving economic transformation through the knowledge and craftsmanship they bring to the economy.