Johannesburg, South Africa: TopGear South Africa is proud to announce the return of the TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards in 2026. This distinguished event, recognises the cars, brands, and individuals that have helped shape the South African motoring industry over the past year.
The TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards, proudly powered by WesBank once again, is set to take place on the 11th of February 2026 in Johannesburg. The audience can expect an unforgettable evening that will once again bring together the industry's leading names to honour continued excellence, and to look ahead at what’s to come for 2026. It’s an event where rubbing shoulders with the whose-who of the automotive and motorsport industry is par for the course.
Now in its third edition, the TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards has established itself as an annual highlight on the local motoring calendar, largely thanks to its distinctive approach in recognising and awarding excellence across all areas of the wider motoring arena, including areas where traditional awards events don’t. It spotlights vehicles, brands, people, and moments that genuinely made a positive impact. Guests can also expect to be engaged, with an area dedicated to iconic motorsport legends on the night, with a host of very special machinery on display.
Once again, WesBank, South Africa’s leading asset-based finance provider has joined forces with the TopGear South Africa Awards as headline partner. Lebo Gaoaketse, Marketing Director for WesBank says, “The partnership with TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards is a natural extension of our commitment to the automotive ecosystem. We’re proud to celebrate the innovation and excellence defining the South African automotive industry, and these awards highlight the benchmarks of quality and progress that move our country forward.”
This year’s awards ceremony will once again be hosted by acclaimed South African comedian and presenter of TopGear South Africa’s Star in a Reasonably Priced Car show, Jason Goliath. Ziphorah Masethe, Ignition TV Host and long-standing member of the motoring press, will co-host with Goliath on the red carpet, unleashing her electric charisma and sassy flair to entertain and engage with guests during the event.
As always, the Awards are not a plug and play for previously awarded categories. The TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards only recognise those that are exceedingly good and therefore, no two awards events are exactly the same. The awards will span a wide range of categories, from the familiar heavy-hitters like Performance Car of the Year, 4x4 and EV of the Year, to several reimagined and unconventional categories – delivered, of course, in TopGear South Africa's signature style.
“These awards exist to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary,” says Avon Middleton, Publisher of TopGear SA. “They continue to evolve every year, because the industry evolves every year, but the essence of a premium but genuinely fun evening remains.”
The official list of categories and winners will be published after the Awards evening concludes on 11 February 2026.
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About TopGear South Africa
TopGear Magazine South Africa is the ultimate destination for motoring enthusiasts, offering a bold and authoritative voice on all things automotive. As the official local licensee of the globally renowned TopGear brand, TopGear South Africa delivers conscious yet entertaining news & reviews, in-depth features and dynamic storytelling that captures the essence of motoring passion. This is done through the monthly TopGear SA Magazine found at retailers nationwide; as well as on topgear.co.za or a suite of social media channels.
TopGear SA is more than a publication — it’s a hub for car lovers as well as a source of authentic and credible information for those seeking the best advice about their car-buying experience.
About WesBank
WesBank is the leading provider of innovative vehicle and asset solutions. WesBank is a division of FirstRand Bank Limited and is an international company with successful operations in the UK, offering Retail and Corporate solutions including Vehicle Finance, Full Maintenance Leases, Asset Based Finance, Fleet Management Leasing, Value-Added Products and personal credit solutions. We have strong alliances with Dealers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With more than five decades of expertise and R138 billion in assets, WesBank is the partner of choice for over 80 leading international brands in fields such as OEMs and insurance provider
