Johannesburg, South Africa – The glitz, the glamour, and glittering night of celebration is back! The Feather Awards XV is thrilled to announce the fabulous and fierce nominees for 2023. As we gear up for a spectacular night of recognition and revelry, get ready to unleash your inner unicorn and let your true colors shine. It’s time to celebrate the unique tapestry of the LGBTQIA+ community and honor those who have made a significant impact in the realms of entertainment, advocacy, and more!

As always the Feather Awards XV promises to be a night like no other, where we come together to honor our community’s outstanding achievements and contributions. In this spirit of celebration and unity, we are excited to announce our nominees this year. The list includes dazzling stars, inspiring activists, and community leaders who have not only risen but also shone brightly.

The Feather Awards XV is an event that symbolizes unity, diversity, and empowerment. We are proud to celebrate all the nominees who have touched our hearts, minds, and lives in so many unique and extraordinary ways. On Thursday, 9th November 2023 at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg we gather to recognize and applaud these fantastic individuals and their incredible contributions to the LGBTIQ+ community.

For a third consecutive season, the beloved Modiselle sisters, Refilwe, Bontle and Candice will return as the 2023 hosts.

And the 2023 Nominees for the Feather Awards XV are:

Best Styled Individual
Musa Keys
PonaHalo
Yaya Mavundla

Hunk of the Year
Thembinkosi Mthembu
Mondli Makhoba
Toss

Diva Extraordinaire of the Year
Mrs Mops
Sorisha Naidoo
Swanky Jerry

Sports Personality of the Year
Andile Dlamini
Akani Simbine
SA Netball

Role model of the Year
The Fruit Basket
Tony Kruger
Patsy P. Alley

Cutest Couple
Mandisa Mfeka & Kenay
Buhlebendalo & Botshelo
Xihla & Busi

Hot Chick of the Year
Uncle Waffles
Homba Mazaleni
Mordecai

Media Award of the Year
The Lunch League
Sowetan / S Mag
Kasi 2 Kasi Queer Cinema

Fag hag of the Year
Nhlanhla Mafu
Tamara Dey
Musa Mthombeni

Designer of the Year (new category)
Gert-Johan Coetzee
Otiz Seflo
Lulama Wolf

Musician
Tyler ICU
Bongezizwe Mabandla
Lloyiso

Socialite (Seen at every opening of an envelope or an erection of a stop sign)
Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho
Tshiamo
Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Drama Queen
Joku
Lebo M
Ayanda Ncwane

Social Media Personality of the Year
Sethu Nkosi
Barbie Jackson
Sabelo The Creator

Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative: Private Sector
Miss SA
Woolworths
Nike

Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative: Public Sector
Do Better

Best LGBTIQ+ Youth Movement
Sacred Heart School
Phuti Lekoloane Foundation
WAQE

Best Rainbow Parenting
Zodwa Rannyadi
Nandipha Jovuka
Abraham Sebidi

This year, the Simon Nkoli Award will be awarded to the multi talented, award winning South African sweetheart Thandiswa Mazwai.

The 15th annual Feathers Awards, is produced in partnership with the Thami Dish Foundation.

“This year we are here to celebrate the diversity, creativity, and resilience of all communities, during these challenging times” commented Thami Kotlolo, co-founder of the Feather Awards and added, “Finding support for our initiatives continues to be a struggle, but we are forever inspired by the boldness and braveness of the Queer community in continuing to push boundaries, claim spaces and create greater freedom for all. Thanks to them, we can continue our work in the community at large to educate and sensitize, culminating into this fabulous annual gathering of all things queer and beyond”.

Congratulations to all our wonderful nominees for the Feather Awards XV! We celebrate you! “

Stay tuned for more updates, surprises, and, of course, the grand reveal of the winners at the Feather Awards XV. Let’s paint the town with all the colors of the rainbow!

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Twitter: @FeathersSA
Facebook: The Feathers Awards SA

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