SA Indie Cat 2026
Celebrating cats and their beauty — honouring the top Independent show cats, kittens and companions from across South Africa.
The 2026 results are in
Congratulations to every qualifier and winner. The full SA Indie Cat 2026 results, photos and award winners can be found on our Facebook page.
Fairness, ethics and a love of cats
SA Indie Cat's main focus is to stand for fairness, striving for the highest ethics possible — respecting exhibitors, breeders and their cats, as well as the officiating judges and officials.
Above all, we celebrate cats and their beauty — and what they give us every day: unconditional love, affection and, of course, playfulness.
How to earn points
Points are earned at Independent Club shows throughout the season, which starts in September.
Shows
The winner of a show gets the highest points, and every cat in the line-up earns points.
Rings
Neuter, Adult, Kitten and Domestic rings award points on a sliding scale — the ring winner earns the most.
Master Rings
Master, Double, Triple and Platinum Master rings feature previous 1st and 2nd place winners of exceptional standard, earning the highest points.
How many from each region
Cats qualify regardless of whether they're Neuter, Adult Male or Adult Female.
Western Cape
Where the most Independent shows are heldGauteng
A well-supported show for exhibitorsNorthern Cape
KimberleyEastern Cape
Port ElizabethOnly the top cats
- There's no fixed split between neuters and adults — the top cats qualify, whether neuter or adult.
- If a qualified exhibitor can't attend, we won't go down to the next exhibitor in line.
- Where two or more cats tie on the points threshold, all of them qualify.
- Kittens that earn points from the first show of the season keep their points if they turn one during the season, and are judged in the relevant Adult/Neuter section.
- Qualifiers receive an official invite to the event confirming which cat(s) have qualified.
Enter an Independent show
Find an Independent Club show anywhere in South Africa and enter your cat.
- Your cat can be registered with any registering body in South Africa.
- You don't need to be a member of any of the Independent clubs.
- Follow the show rules of the club hosting the show.
- We uphold strict showing standards: exhibitors must be in good standing in the cat fancy, with no current unresolved disputes with other organisations or Independent Clubs.
Judging explained
Season points get you there — but every cat is judged fresh on the day.
Groups
Qualifiers compete as Neuter Male, Neuter Female, Adult Male and Adult Female. Kittens and Domestic/Companion cats compete within their own groups.
Fresh start
Points from the show season are not used to decide the winners on the day.
Placings
Each judge places the cats from 1st to last. In a group of 20, 1st earns 20 points, 2nd earns 19, down to 1 point.
Final word
The judges' decision is final and cannot be contested or disputed.
The honours
From the overall crown to awards built on a full season of consistency.
Overall SA Indie Cat
The Top Neuter Male, Top Neuter Female, Top Adult Male and Top Adult Female compete for the crown — with live judging in the Independent ring format at the awards luncheon, by a nominated Head Judge.
Domestic of the Year
SA Indie Cat Domestic of the Year.
Kitten of the Year
SA Indie Kitten of the Year.
Highest Scoring Longhair
Determined from the show season's points.
Highest Scoring Semi-Longhair
Determined from the show season's points.
Highest Scoring Shorthair
Determined from the show season's points.
Highest Scoring Siamese / Oriental
Determined from the show season's points.
Highest Scoring Domestic / Companion
Determined from the show season's points.
Ultimate Master of the Rings
For exceptional performance throughout the season in the rings show system, decided on points.
Legend of the Year
A once-in-a-lifetime nominee award for an older cat that has left its pawprint on the show bench over many years — retired cats included. Not awarded if there's no nomination.
The Adele Visser Memorial Award
For the Best Maine Coon of the current show season — in memory of the late Adele Visser, whose first love was the Maine Coon breed. Adele passed away in December 2025.
Committee
Tracy Nairn
Owner of Java Cattery in Hout Bay, Western Cape, Tracy is a passionate breeder of Devon Rex and Singapura cats. One of her proudest memories is her Singapura, Lace, being named CFSA Cat of the Year. An active member of The All Breeds Cat Club, she is completing her judges' course through CJGA and is dedicated to animal welfare, responsible breeding and rescue.
Carine Pelser
From Malmesbury in the Western Cape, Carine discovered the cat fancy after welcoming two Maine Coons in 2016 and soon fell in love with the Devon Rex, welcoming Kamdeboo-bred Felix and Pixie. An enthusiastic exhibitor, she began as a steward and is now a student judge working towards becoming a qualified judge.
Ella Pretorius
With 32 years in aviation, Ella's cats are the perfect escape from a demanding career. Fascinated by Devon Rex, Burmese and Singapura cats, she treasures their different personalities. She has completed Reiki and advanced animal communication training, and is working towards becoming a qualified cat judge before retirement.
Karlo Hendriksz
Based in Muizenberg, Cape Town, Karlo has been involved in the South African cat fancy for over a decade, first as an exhibitor and later as a cat club committee member. While the Maine Coon will always hold a special place in his heart, he is committed to encouraging interest in pedigree cats and cat exhibitions.
Lenka Hendriksz
Based in Muizenberg, Lenka has bred Maine Coons under the Dark Moon cattery prefix since 2017, focusing on ethical breeding, health, temperament and breed preservation. Her programme has produced multiple Best in Breed Trophy winners, and she exhibits regularly across South Africa, primarily in the Western Cape.
Leonard Ferreira
Based in Brackenfell, Cape Town, Leonard has bred Burmese and Devon Rex cats since 2014. As Chairman of Chats du Cap Cat Club he organises shows across Western Cape communities. A fully qualified All Breeds Judge through CJGA, he brings experience as breeder, exhibitor, organiser and judge.
Susan Ferreira
Based in Brackenfell, Susan has bred Burmese and Devon Rex cats under the Kamdeboo Cattery prefix since 2014, together with her husband Leonard. She is completing her judges' course through CJGA and is qualified in Domestic, Siamese & Oriental, and Shorthair categories.
The Independent Clubs
All Breeds Cat Club
African Independent Cat Club
Chats du Cap Cat Club
Cat Lovers Association of South Africa
Oriental Siamese & Related Breeds Group
South African Cat
De Baai Cat Club
