The Feathers Awards are known for taking pride in all things LGBTIQ+, but this year, Thami Dish and his team are taking it up a notch. They have added four more categories to the list namely: Best Rainbow Parenting Award, Best LGBTIQ Student Movement Award, Best LGBTIQ Initiative in the Public Sector Award, and Best LGBTIQ Initiative in the Private Sector Award.
Co-founder of the awards, Thami Dish, explained at the nominees launch why it’s important to #Gearup and shift things for LGBTIQ+ people in the country and the continent.
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“For the last 10 years, we’ve done amazing stuff. Gearing up is about more than just walking pride or the awards, we need to do more and be the hope for the rest of the continent. We’re about creating a safe space for the rest of Africa with the festival. Not only that, but also carry the struggles of the people on the continent who don’t have the platforms we do. We’re the hope and voice of African Queer bodies,” says Thami Dish.
The awards this year will be hosted by media personality, Moshe Ndiki, and actress Rami Chuene. Not only is the movement about the awards, but creating more awareness and safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ people. That’s why this year, they’re launching the Feathers Festival, which is a lifestyle event aligned with the awards and Pride Month. It’ll be showcasing music, powerful messages and unity. The event will be from 17- 19 October. You can grab a ticket on Webtickets for some fun in the sun, courtesy of Feathers SA and the Thami Dish Foundation.
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Without further ado, your nominees for #Feathers11 are:
BEST STYLED INDIVIDUAL
- Manthe Ribane
- Karabo Moletsane
- Sivu Madikana
- Luthando ‘Loot Love’ Shosha
HUNK OF THE YEAR
- Rich Mnisi
- Cedric Fourie
- Thabiso Makhubela
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HOT CHICK OF THE YEAR
- Zola Nombona
- Thuso Mbedu
- Krayzi K
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Janine Van Wyk
- SPAR Proteas
- Thembi Kgatlana
BEST RAINBOW PARENTING
- Mally Simelane
- Felicia Leqela
- Nomalinde Ndiki and Nokuzola Bala
BEST LGBTIQ STUDENT MOVEMENT
- Activate Wits
- LGBTI Soweto Campus (UJ)
- VUT LGBTIAQ
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BEST LGBTIQ INITIATIVE: PUBLIC SECTOR
- GP Community Safety
- Department of Health
- Gauteng Enterprise Propeller
BEST LGBTIQ INITIATIVE: PRIVATE SECTOR
- Shell SA
- NIKE
- Unilever
DIVA EXTRAORDINAIRE
- Bonang
- Somizi
- Bonnie Mbuli
MEDIA OF THE YEAR AWARD
- One Night With My Ex
- Inkanyiso.org
- We Are Queer My Dear
SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Dr Sindi Van Zyl
- Lasizwe
- The Funny Chef
CUTEST COUPLE OF THE YEAR
- Dineo and Solo Langa
- Moshe Ndiki and Phelo Bala
- Sylvester Chauke and Tumelo Mmusi
ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
- Landa Mabenge
- Mandisa Mfeka
- Glenton Matthyse
DRAMA QUEEN OF THE YEAR
- Rachel Kolisi
- Bujy and Nandos
- Metro FM and Msunery
SOCIALITE OF THE YEAR
- Mihlali Ndamase
- Dr Musa Mthombeni
- Lerato Sengadi
- MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
- Busiswa
- Sho Madjozi
- Langa Mavuso
- Moonchild Sanelly
FAG HAG OF THE YEAR
- Busiswa
- Cedric Fourie
- Penny Lebyane