Now in it’s 13th year, the highly anticipated Feather Awards today announced the colourful 2021 list of nominees for the upcoming awards set to take place on the 11th November 2021 at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

This much coveted nominee list is comprised of personalities and individuals from various industry sectors including Entertainment, Politicsm Lifestyle, Sport and Business this year. Each nominated individual or organisation, in one way or the other, has either represented, inspired, or celebrated the LGBTIQ community with excellence and distinction over the past twelve months. 

Category finalists and later winners are selected and adjudicated by a knowledgeable panel consisting of members of the media and entertainment industry, who are firmly in touch with what’s hot and not on the South African social circuit.

Aptly themed QUEER LIVES MATTER, in line with the global conversation that seeks to address the multiple array of LGBTI issues that includes violent crimes against the LGBTIG community.

The Awards plans to amplify the plight of the community during the build up to the Awards. 

The Awards itself is dedicated to uplifting the names of the LGBTIQ activists who’re doing impactful work in various communities across the country.

The Awards also pays homage to supportive media bodies, LGBTIQ student movements and selected role models who enrich and back the community.

The Awards this year will also celebrate the lives of those lost over the past 12 months.

Now in it’s 13th year, the Awards has evolved from solely an award celebration back in 2008 to a full array of well planned and executed LGBTIQ advocacy activations taking place throughout the year. 

Done in partnership with the Thami Dish Foundation, these programmes include the LGBTIQ+ Dialogues, Workshop and Trainings done in communities across South Africa. These all focus on desensitising the LGBTIQ community to all South African citizens promoting inclusion for all.

The actual Feather Awards will take place on the 11th November at a private ceremony in Johannesburg.

“It’s been an interest 13 years building these Awards as a community. From starting out as a small celebration at a nightclub in Rosebank, the Feathers is now a whole teenager, a fully operational powerhouse of programmes. Through the awards we have showcased, celebrated and shared the South African LGBTIQ community with not only the African continent but also the world at large. They have also helped empower the country through dialogues and workshops, making their voice heard in communities in the public and private sector ” . ‘This year we are celebrating the entire community with the Queer Lives Matter theme. It’s been thirteen years in the making, so here’s to the next milestone, onward to adulthood”

comments Thami Kotlolo, co-founder of the Feather Awards

Keep locked to our social media for all the updates:

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Twitter            @FeathersSA
Facebook      The Feathers Awards SA
 
#QueerLivesMatter
 

AND THE FEATHER AWARDS 2021 NOMINEES ARE…

Best Styled Individual  (This category is for individuals who have consistently kept to their style throughout the year)

  • Leroy Marc
  • Rich Mnisi
  • Zozibini Tunzi

Hunk of the Year  (These men just ooze the X-factor, you look at them and you just want a strong hug)

  • Siya Khumalo
  • Wiseman Zithar
  • Rich Mnisi


Diva Extraordinaire of the Year (These women are who always carry themselves well and they have a strong presence)

  • Johanna Mukoki
  • Ayanda Ncwane
  • Amanda Dambuza


Sports Personality of the Year (People that have inspired in the world of sports)

  • Phuti ‘Minaj’ Lekoloane
  • Protea Pumas
  • Palesa Manaleng

 
Role model of the Year (They never put their foot wrong in the public eye, they continue to inspire and contribute positively to society)

  • Phuthi ‘Minaj’ Lekoloane  
  • Roché Kester
  • Thebe Magugu

 
Cutest Couple (these are couples people adore and look up to)

  • Musa & Liesel Mthombeni
  • Sylvester Chauke & Tumelo Mmusi
  • Latoya & Lebo Keswa


Hot Chick of the Year  (These are women who ooze all kinds of appeals)

  • Kamo Mphela
  • Shudufadzo Musida
  • Ama Qamatha


Media Award of the Year. 

  • Becoming
  • ShakeDown YFM
  • The River


Fag hag of the Year (Need we say more, they never leave their home without their favorite accessories, a gay friend)

  • Lady Du
  • Zoe Modiga
  • Nokuthula Mavuso


Musician (Musician we love to listen to on and off stage)

  • Lady Du
  • Makhadzi
  • Langa Mavuso

Socialite (Seen at every opening of an envelope or an erection of a stop sign)

  • Johanna Mukoki
  • Lelo WhatGood
  • Bobby Blanco

Drama Queen –(These are personalities we read about every Sunday over breakfast, their lives revolve around a lot of dramatic behavior or situation)

  • Nonku Williams and her Mom
  • Thabo Smalls & KeJile keJile
  • Khanyi Mbau


Social Media Personality of the Year  

  • The Funny Chef
  • Coachella Randy
  • Tumi Powerhouse

Best LGBTIQ Initiative: Private Sector 

  • Levis X Langa Mavuso
  • Ernest & Young
  • Tshepo Jeans

Best LGBTIQ Initiative: Public Sector 

  • Gauteng Department of Education
  • Department of Education Western Cape
  • National Youth Development Agency  

Best LGBTIQ Youth Movement 

  • Vaal LGBT
  • Vogue Nights
  • Queer Lives Matter

Best Rainbow Parenting 

  •  House of Diamond (Original Hunty)
  • Bongani Sibeko & Ndumiso Ngidi
  • Virginia Magwaza


The 2021 Simon Nkoli Award goes one of the county most celebrated fashion design icon, David Tlale.