The South African Pride Month has officially kicked off and on Wednesday, October 2, the Feather Awards hosted an event at the Constitution Hill to announce the nominations for this year.
The ceremony not only celebrates members of the LGBTQIA+ community but also marginalised communities, including the hearing and vision-impaired.
Thami Dish, the founder of the Feather Awards, said in celebrating 16 years of the movement, this year’s theme is “Borderless Existence”.
They have partnered with Blind SA, a non-profit organisation that promotes and facilitates the dignity and independence of blind and visually impaired South Africans.
They have also partnered with the hearing-impaired community since sign language is now the 12th official language in South Africa.
“Three years ago, we decided to take a bold move and have our first deaf activist as a host for the Feather Awards. That brought about change but also invited me to a world of wanting to learn more.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about how we make a real impact in society and I’ve been struggling for over a month and a half,” said Dish.
“For a long time, it was always easier for me to talk about Feathers because I’m a queer man but we had to take it to the next level where there’s inclusion and we’re moving from our old borders, hence the theme ‘Borderless Existence’.
“If it wasn’t for Andy and the community, I wouldn’t be able to stand here and say we’re making real change in society.”
The Mbombo sisters (Blue and Brown), who are nominated for Cutest Couple, said this nomination came at the right time when they needed a “lift” after losing their mom a few months ago.
“This means a lot to us because this year has been so tough. We just lost our mother like three months ago and we’ve been going through the most and being nominated and being recognised as a pair means a lot to us, especially during this time,” said Blue.
“I don’t even know what to say. I’m excited because it’s my first time being nominated but because I’m nominated with my bestie, I couldn’t ask for a better partner. She’s my lifetime partner,” Brown added.
Model coach and fashion producer Kgomotso Seboko, nominated for the Socialite honours, was ecstatic to be recognised for his contribution to the industry.
“It means my light is recognised, it means someone sees me, someone feels my significance, and it also opens doors for me internationally and locally.
“I’ve been in the industry for almost 19 years and most times you see people that came out yesterday collecting awards and you’re like ‘When is it going to be my turn? Am I not doing enough?’
“As a creative, you also know that there are those dry seasons where you doubt God, you doubt your work and just getting a nomination validates all the hard work and reminds you that you’re on the right track,” he said.
Fashion stylist and creative consultant Filipe Mazibuko, who is up for the Simon Nkoli award, said he was humbled.
“I think more than anything, it’s more than just getting an award. This is a summoning glory award. For me it means fighting, resilience, it means kindness and being queer.
“The name ‘gay’ means happiness and joy. So for me, my mission has always been knowing that kindness is timeless, can we stop dressing up only physically. Can we redress and address our hearts and dress our hearts with kindness,” he said.
Hosting this year’s main event are award-winning actor Khaya Dladla, actress and fashion curator Dineo Langa as well as Andiswa Gebashe, who has been hosting for the past three years to make sure that the hearing impaired don’t miss out on the show.
“We attend so many awards, the level of stiffness that is there is so exhausting. If I don’t feel like wearing a suit, I will wear a dress.
“So there is a lot of freedom at the Feathers. We looking forward to having fun with you guys and also just learning as much as we can because we have to speak all the languages,” said Dladla.
Below is the full list of the 2024 Feather Awards nominations:
Best Styled Individual
- Maglera Dope Boi
- Lunathi Mampofu
- Nomalanga Shozi
Hunk of the Year
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Akani Simbine
- Rulani Mokwena
Diva Extraordinaire of the Year
- Nthati Moshesh
- Naledi Pandor
- Gayton McKenzie
Sports Personality of the Year
- Kgothatso Monjane
- The Springboks
- Alyssa Conley
Role Model of the Year
- SA Legal Team @ ICJ
- Kgothatso Montjane
- John Meletse
Cutest Couple
- Justice and Fhatuwani Mukheli
- Celeste and Fezile Ntuli
- Blue and Brown Mbombo
Hot Chick of the Year
- Lunathi Mampofu
- Ntokozo Mhlongo
- Tyla
Media Award of the Year
- Ha Molefi! (Mzansi Magic)
- Youngins! (Showmax)
- Netflix
Fag Hag of the Year
- Lindiwe Zulu
- Brenda Mtambo
- Nontokozo Madonsela
Designer of the Year
- Orapeleng Modutle
- Thebe Magugu
- Justice & Fhatuwani Mokheli
Musician
- Young Stunna!
- Zoe Modiga
- TitoM Yuppe and Eeque!
Socialite (Seen at every opening of an envelope or an erection of a stop sign)
- Icebolethu Funerals
- Kgomotso Seboko
- Gayton McKenzie
Drama Queen
- Penuell Mlotshwa
- Nara Smith
- Tshedi Mholo & Bongani Nchang
Social Media Personality of the Year
- Hope Ramafalo
- Eva Mofokeng
- Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi
Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative: Private Sector
- #JustDetention initiative
- Momentum Group
- #ShePoppedInn
Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative: Public Sector
- Department of Justice & Const Dev
- Higher Health
- SADTU
Best LGBTIQ+ Youth Movement
- Olivenhoutbosch Secondary School
- Sacred Heart College
- Crawford College
Best Rainbow Parenting
- Sape Maodi & Valvi Swartz
- Orapeleng Modutle
- Phiko’s Mom (Royal Bafokeng)
∎The 16th Feather Awards will take place at 1 Fox in Johannesburg on November 9.