Feather Awards 2023 in SA: All the nominees

Produced in partnership with the Thami Dish Foundation, the event seeks to honour individuals in different fields including music, media and fashion, as well as LGBTQ initiatives. For a third consecutive season, the Modiselle sisters – Refilwe, Bontle and Candice – will return as the 2023 hosts.

“This year we are here to celebrate the diversity, creativity and resilience of all communities during these challenging times,” Feather Awards co-founder Thami Kotlolo said. “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 sensitise, culminating into this fabulous annual gathering of all things queer and beyond. Congratulations to all our wonderful nominees for the Feather Awards XV.”

This year, the Simon Nkoli Award will be awarded to South African musician Thandiswa Mazwai.

Below are the nominees:

 Musician of the Year

• Tyler ICU
• Bongezizwe Mabandla
• Lloyiso

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 and Kenay
• Buhlebendalo and Botshelo
• Xihla and 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

Socialite of the Year

• 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