The awards recognise outstanding contributions to the creator and influencer marketing industry while spotlighting a new generation of talent shaping the future of digital influence, says the platform.

Humanz defines its mission as expanding opportunities for creators and brands by amplifying human trust and creativity through technology and data — in a world where content is infinite but trust is scarce.

As an all-in-one operating system powering the entire creator economy lifecycle, Humanz enables fast, transparent, ethical and impactful collaboration between brands and creators. Powered by proprietary AI, real-time performance data, and globally scalable infrastructure, Humanz supports over 500 000 creators worldwide and partners with leading global brands including Google, L'Oréal, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Amazon and Sephora, adds the platform.

With over USD$25-million raised to date and continued global expansion through strategic acquisitions, Humanz is redefining how creators and brands search, engage, collaborate and drive measurable business impact.

At the heart of the company is its mantra, "Be Worth Following", this philosophy reflects Humanz's commitment to working with creators who are reliable, professional, ethical, and honest — creators who understand that influence is built on trust, says the platform.

The Humanz Top 20 Awards recognise creators who embody integrity, innovation and measurable performance within the creator ecosystem. Over the past year, these individuals have demonstrated outstanding impact and potential, positioning themselves as future leaders in the content creator industry, adds the platform.

The inaugural list of winners were selected via a combination of algorithms from the Humanz platform and human review. This transparent methodology ensures that recognition is grounded in performance, credibility, and long-term value — not vanity metrics.

Humanz believes that value attracts value. By celebrating creators who consistently perform at the highest level on the platform, the awards reinforce a standard of excellence that continues to attract both leading brands and high-performing creators to the ecosystem, says the platform.

The Humanz Top 20 Awards will become an annual platform dedicated to celebrating creators who set the benchmark for professionalism, trust, innovation and entrepreneurship within South Africa's growing creator economy.

According to Humanz, the 2026 Humanz Top 20 winners are:
 

  • Thato Rampedi 
  • Primo Baloyi 
  • Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa 
  • Ervè Bukasa
  • Dr Katlego Selikane 
  • Siya Bani
  • Grace Mondlana
  • Mbali Nhlapho
  • Nadia Jaftha
  • Rasheeqah Karriem
  • Robot Boii 
  • Banele Ndaba 
  • Popi Sibiya 
  • Ndivhuwo Muhanelwa
  • Farren Cloete 
  • Lasizwe Dambuza
  • Onezwa Mbola 
  • Thandi Gama 
  • Bongani Baloyi, and
  • Tadeus Mbatha.

Beyond celebrating established excellence, the awards proudly spotlight the next generation of digital influence through the Top 10 Up & Coming Creators sub-category. Their rapid, high-quality rise reflects not only creative innovation and impactful storytelling, but also a clear commitment to professionalism and integrity. These creators lead with authenticity: they do not mislead, they do not pretend, and they never recommend products or services they wouldn't personally use. By pairing accelerated growth with credibility and ethical conduct, they are building meaningful communities and positioning themselves as the future leaders of the industry, concludes the platform.

For more information, visit www.humanz.com. You can also follow Humanz on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or on YouTube. 

*Image courtesy of Facebook