FEATHER AWARDS XV: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN 2023

AND THE 2023 FEATHER AWARDS NOMINEES ARE…. 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. Taking place on Thursday, 9th November 2023 at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, media, partners and other key stakeholders will gather to recognize and applaud these fantastic individuals for 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!   Instagram  @FeathersSA Twitter        @FeathersSA Facebook  The Feathers Awards SA #FeatherAwardsXV  #SolveForX