DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — 19 AUGUST 2026: South African actress and celebrated entertainment powerhouse Dawn Thandeka King is set to receive the prestigious Lifetime Shero Award at the 10th annual Gagasi FM Shero Awards, taking place this Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Oceans Mall in Umhlanga.
Held annually during Women’s Month, the Gagasi FM Shero Awards celebrate women whose achievements, leadership, resilience and contributions continue to inspire communities across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.
This year’s milestone 10th edition takes place under the theme “Pretty in Pink”, marking a decade of honouring women who have made a meaningful impact in their respective fields.
King is being recognised with the Lifetime Shero Award for her remarkable contribution to South Africa’s arts and entertainment landscape, as well as her enduring influence and longevity within the industry.
With an acclaimed career spanning television, film and theatre, King has become one of South Africa’s most recognisable actresses. Audiences have seen her bring a range of memorable characters to life in productions including Uzalo, Shaka iLembe, Lockdown, Isitha: The Enemy and DiepCity.
Her recognition at this year’s Shero Awards reflects not only her extensive body of work, but also the influence she has built throughout her career and the inspiration she continues to provide to audiences and aspiring creatives.
They include the late actress Mary Twala in 2020, storyteller and author Gcina Mhlophe in 2021, actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones in 2022, actress Leleti Khumalo in 2023, actress Thembi Nyandeni in 2024 and actress Deli Malinga in 2025.
“The Shero Awards are very close to the heart of Gagasi FM because they are more than just an awards competition. They are an inspiration to women in KZN. They encourage them not to give up on their jobs, passions, and efforts because they inspire the whole province,”
Gagasi FM Managing Director, Minenhle Dlamini.
Gagasi FM Shero Awards 2026
The 10th edition of the awards will recognise women across 12 categories.
These include Creative Arts, Entertainment and Music, Sports, Science and Technology, Big Business Professional, Enterprise, Social Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, KZN Ambassador, Community Leader and Shero Honouree.
The awards are held during Women’s Month and are driven by nominations from Gagasi FM listeners across KwaZulu-Natal.
Gagasi FM managing director Minenhle Dlamini said the awards have spent the past decade recognising women who inspire their communities.
“The 10th anniversary is a celebration of every woman who has been nominated, every woman who has won, and every listener who has taken the time to tell us about these Sheros,”
Dlamini said.
At the heart of the Shero Awards is a simple but powerful belief: everyday women deserve to be celebrated. Each year, Gagasi FM receives countless heartfelt nominations from listeners across KwaZulu-Natal, sharing stories of mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, educators, professionals, community activists, creatives, sportswomen and leaders who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The awards are therefore not simply about fame, status or public recognition. They are about amplifying the voices, stories and journeys of women who are doing extraordinary things in their communities and professional spaces. As Gagasi FM marks ten years of the Shero Awards, the station is celebrating a decade of women who have inspired others, broken barriers, created opportunities, served their communities and continued to make KwaZulu-Natal proud.
The 10th annual Gagasi FM Shero Awards will take place on Saturday, 22 August, at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Oceans Mall in Umhlanga.
