Who could have ever imagined that we would live to see the day that AKA, Bonang Matheba,DJ Zinhle, Fikile Mthwalo, Tembisa Mdoda, Anele and Euphonik would be nominated in the same category at an awards show? Quite spicy if you ask us but that's what The Chevy Feathers are all about.
Currently celebrating 8 years in existence, the Feather Awards were created as a light-hearted way to celebrate high-profile South African LGBTI individuals as well as those that have inspired, scandalized and amused our country's LGBTI community. In the lead-up to this year's ceremony, the 2016 Feathers nominees were announced at an event held earlier today at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg.
Among the nominees were actress and TV personality, Ntando Duma, first lady of West Ink and Afrotainment-Babes Wodumo - as well as South Africa's answer to KimYe, Bonang and AKA.
Check out an official list of all the nominees below:
Best Styled Female:
Bonang Matheba, Mbali Mlothswa and Dineo Moeketsi
Best Styled Male:
Katlego Maboe, Lawrence Maleka and Jonathan Boynton-Lee
Media of the Year (OTY):
Pretoria based, gay online radio station Gay SA Radio, Home with Mapaseka Mokwele on Kaya FM and LGBTI film 'While You Weren't Looking'
Hot Chick OTY:
Ntando Duma, BET A-list presenter Ayanda Thabetheand Top Billing Roxy Burger
Hunk OTY:
Chris Jaftha, SK Khoza and Selimathunzi presenter Siphesihle Vazi
Cutest Couple OTY:
Somizi and TT Mbha, Rev. Mpho Tutu and Marceline van Furth and Queen Mathosa and wife Refilwe Mkosi
Diva Extraordinaire:
Winnie Mandela, Redi Thlabi and Iman Rapetti
Fag Hag OTY :
Mokgadi Seabi, Dineo Moeketsi and Wanda Baloyi
Socialite OTY:
Moshe Ndiki, Leroy Marc and Ntando Duma
Musician OTY:
Black Coffee, Babes Wodumo and Emtee
Sports Personality OTY:
Caster Semenya, Wayde van Niekerk and Jozi Cats
Role model OTY:
Virginia Magwaza from the organization Parents and Families of South African Queers, Forum for the EmpoWerment of Women’s Phindi Malaza and Caster Semenya
Drama Queen OTY:
AKA, Bonang,DJ Zinhle, Fikile Mthwalo, Tembisa Mdoda, Anele and Euphonik
While many have become accustomed to seeing the glamour unfold at the annual glittering ceremony of The Feather Awards, not many people are aware of the important work done in relation to LGBTI issues in rural and urban communities around the country. In addition to the awards, The Feathers are involved in a number of events leading up to the awards as well as after the awards to raise awareness around issues plaguing the LGBTI community.