THIRD EDITION: 2026
Find out more about Sabelo Mlangeni, winner of the 2026 edition
The third edition of the prize will focused on Southern Africa: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini.
Selection Procedure
In April 2026, the Foundation contacted a group of nominators, all recognised figures in the fields of photography and contemporary African art, including Armelle Malvoisin, Paula Nascimento, Amy Sall, John Fleetwood, Beata America, Julie Bonzon, Dr. Portia Malatjie, Clive Kellner, Amandine Nana, Nadine Hounkpatin, Fiona Rogers, Annabelle Lacour, Alicia Knock, and Bianca Manu.
They were invited to nominate candidates for the Prize:
Nicola Brandt (South Africa), Edson Chagas (Angola), Luís Damião (Angola), Nonzuzo Gxekwa (South Africa), Lorraine Kalassa (South Africa), Lebohang Kganye (South Africa), Phumzile Khanyile (South Africa), Rui Magalhães (Angola), Thero Makepe (Botswana), Tuli Mekondjo (Namibia), Ruth Motau (South Africa), Tshepiso Moropa (South Africa), Sethembile Msezane (South Africa), Mikhailia Petersen (South Africa), Jo Ractliffe (South Africa), Zenaéca Singh (South Africa), Lindokuhle Sobekwa (South Africa), Lidudumalingani (South Africa), Thato Toeba (Lesotho), Andrew Tshabangu (South Africa).
In June 2026, the jury, comprising Aby Gaye, Taous Dahmani, Adnan Bashir, Naoki Nakatani, and Mário Macilau, and chaired by James Barnor, met to select the laureate.
On Wednesday, July 8th, Sabelo Mlangeni (South Africa), while George Mahashe received a special mention. The winners were publicly revealed on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during the Rencontres d’Arles.
The 2026 edition of the James Barnor Prize was made possible through the support of
Sabelo Mlangeni (laureate):
George Mahashe (special mention):
Candidates:
Floor Slab, temporary military base, Riemvasmaak, 'The Borderlands' series, Jo Ractliffe
Untitled, 'Mom's journal' series, Lorraine Kalassa
Untitled, 'Ezilalini (The Country)' series, Lindokuhle Sobekwa
Stronger Together, 'Reimagining Themba' series, Mikhaila Petersen
Sisterhood I, 'Sisterhood' series, Zenaéca Singh
Unknown, Delta Park, Blairgowrie, 'Sites of Mourning' series, Lidudumalingani
And the past is here to haunt you, 'Sehlahla se tukang empa se sa che' series, Thato Toeba
Water Bodies, ''Speaking Through Walls' series, Sethembile Msezane
No monument for the fallen, Otjozondjupa Region, 'Embodied Memories' series, Nicola Brandt
Untitled, 'Plastic Crowns' series, Phumzile Khanyile
Untitled, 'Mwata' series, Luís Damião
Nights Unwavering Resolve, 'Le Sale ka Kgoso' series, Lebonhang Kganye
Women Praying at the Crucifix, 'Bridges' series, Andrew Tshabangu
Untitled, 'Taxi Diaries' series, Nonzuzo Gxekwa
Untitled, 'Women's hostel Alexander' series, Ruth Motau
Mama Mo Metsi, 'We didn't Choose to be Born Here' series, Thero Makepe
Spiritual Embodiment of Meme Nekaya, 'The Borders of Memory' series, Tuli Mekondjo
Untitled, Anita, 'a bright light' series, Rui Magalhães
The Showdown, 'Dineelwane (Fairytales)' series, Tshepiso Moropa
