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! “