BELFAST – Boven Masters and Hidden Masters were crowned the respective soccer and netball champions as the Nkangala Arts & Music Awards (NkAMA) Tournament brought sport, music and culture together at Siyathuthuka Sports Centre in Belfast on 23 August 2026.
The eMakhazeni activation delivered a full day of sporting action and entertainment, with teams competing for NkAMA honours while local artists used the platform to showcase their talent ahead of the 2026 NkAMA Awards.
In the soccer competition, Boven Masters secured their place in the final after defeating Dullstroom Masters 3–1 in the opening Top 4 encounter.
Machadodorp Masters booked the second spot in the final after edging Heineticer 1–0 in the other semi-final.
Boven Masters maintained their momentum in the final, defeating Machadodorp Masters 3–1 to lift the trophy and be crowned the 2026 NkAMA eMakhazeni soccer champions.
The action continued on the netball court, where Hidden Masters delivered a commanding performance to defeat Cherry Bombs 49–30 and claim the 2026 NkAMA eMakhazeni netball championship.
Hidden Masters controlled the contest and maintained their advantage throughout the match, with the victory sparking celebrations among players and supporters.
While the sporting contests provided the competitive edge, performances by NkAMA nominees kept the atmosphere at Siyathuthuka Sports Centre vibrant throughout the day.
The tournament featured performances by Ubuhlebegatsha and Amalanda Amhlophe, nominees in the Traditional Dance category, who brought traditional music and dance to the event.
The crowd was also entertained by MK AKA MIKE, a nominee in the Ndebele Music and Hip Hop categories.
The performances formed an important part of the NkAMA activation programme, giving nominees an opportunity to take their talent directly to communities, engage with audiences and encourage public support ahead of the awards.
NkAMA aims to identify and recognise emerging talent by providing artists with platforms to showcase their abilities, gain exposure and receive recognition for their contribution to the creative and cultural landscape of Nkangala.
The Belfast tournament marked the final local municipality activation, bringing the NkAMA activation journey across the district to an end after combining sport, music and culture while providing communities with an opportunity to celebrate sporting and artistic talent.
With the eMakhazeni champions crowned, the spotlight now shifts to Middelburg, where the programme will culminate with the NkAMA Awards on 12 September 2026 at the Middelburg Banquet Hall.
