Tyler ICU, Uncle Waffles, Toss, Musa Keys, PonaHalo + More Nominated At Feather Awards XV

The Feather Awards XV nominees have been announced. 

The list includes musicians Tyler ICU, Uncle Waffles, Toss, Musa Keys, PonaHalo and others among a variety of socialites and media personalities. 

Even though the nominees include non-LGBTQIA+ members, the award show’s main aim is to celebrate the unique tapestry of the LGBTQIA+ community and honour those who have made a significant impact in the realms of entertainment, advocacy, and more. 

Taking place on Thursday, November 9, at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, media, partners and other key stakeholders will gather to recognise and applaud these individuals for their contributions to the LGBTIQ+ community, according to a press release shared with SlikourOnLife. 

For a third consecutive season, the Modiselle sisters, Refilwe, Bontle and Candice will return as the 2023 hosts.

See the full list of nominees for the Feather Awards XV 2023:

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 

The 15th annual Feathers Awards are 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 sensitise, 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! “