NATIONAL HERITAGE COUNCIL OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL GOLDEN SHIELD HERITAGE AWARDS (GOSHA 13)
Celebrating Heritage Champions Who Preserve, Protect, and Promote South Africa’s Legacy
The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC), an entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 13th Annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards (GOSHA).
The awards recognise and celebrate individuals, communities, organisations, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, conservation, and interpretation of South Africa’s cultural and natural heritage.
Members of the public, heritage practitioners, organisations, institutions, and communities are invited to nominate deserving heritage champions whose work has contributed to safeguarding and advancing the country’s rich and diverse heritage.
The closing date for the nomination is Friday, 14 August 2026, 23h59pm.
The Golden Shield Heritage Awards serve as a national platform to honour excellence, innovation, and dedication in the heritage sector. Through these awards, the NHC acknowledges those whose efforts ensure that South Africa’s heritage remains accessible, relevant, and meaningful for present and future generations.
Nominations are invited in the following categories:
- Preferred Heritage Destination (Provincial/National category)– recognising provincial and national heritage sites, museums, interpretation centres and destinations that provide outstanding cultural heritage experiences.
- Young Heritage Activist – celebrating young people who actively contribute to heritage awareness and preservation.
- Voice of Heritage – recognising individuals and institutions that document and share heritage through publications, digital platforms, documentaries, music, and other creative mediums.
- Heritage Journalism – honouring journalists and media platforms that report on heritage and culture in South Africa.
- Corporate Heritage Management – recognising businesses that incorporate heritage preservation and support into their operations.
- Liberation Heritage Steward – acknowledging those who protect and preserve South Africa’s liberation history and legacy.
- Heritage Education – celebrating educational programmes, research, and initiatives that promote awareness and pride in South African heritage.
- Heritage Social Media Influencer – recognising digital storytellers who use online platforms to promote South African culture and heritage.
- National Living Treasure – honouring custodians who preserve and transfer intangible cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and practices to future generations.
The NHC encourages nominations from all sectors of society, including communities, municipalities, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and heritage stakeholders. Nominees should demonstrate a measurable contribution to heritage preservation, promotion, research, education, or conservation.
HOW TO NOMINATE:
Nomination forms are available through the National Heritage Council website – www.nhc.org.za to download, click here: https://bit.ly/43H3ePe
For enquiries, please email gosha@nhc.org.za or contact (012) 748 3910.
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Issued by the National Heritage Council of South Africa
For media enquiries, please contact Mr. Tsireledzo Mandane (Communication Officer) at 079 298 9394 or t.mandane@nhc.org.za
For further information, please contact: Ms Tebogo Shilakwe – Stakeholder Engagement Officer – t.shilakwe@nhc.org.za– 084 5978881.