Here they are! 9th annual Feather Awards nominees announced

The nominees for the 2017 Feather Awards have been announced at a function at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Over the last eight years, the event has become highly anticipated, bringing together mainstream celebrity glamour and LGBTI activism.

Thursday’s announcement function saw members of the media, nominees and judges being welcomed by Joe Correia, co-founder of the Feather Awards.

The event was also attended by representatives from the Gauteng provincial government, which is a supporter of the awards. Gauteng Tourism’s Anele Mdzikwa, who said that she’s committed to making the province an attraction for LGBTI travellers, described the Feather Awards as “a premiere event in Gauteng”.

The list of nominees (see full list below) includes 35 personalities in 12 categories, such as entertainer Zodwa Wabantu, nominated in two categories, and controversial performer Skolopad.

Recognition was given to media powerhouses such as presenter and producer Carol Bouwer and TV personality, businesswoman and former Miss SA, Basetsana Khumalo, who are both nominated as Diva of the Year.

Controversial local film Inxeba (The Wound), an LGBTI love-story, was recognised in the Media category, while the Hunk of the Year includes rapper and BET A-List presenter Jesse Suntele, SuperSport presenter Fezile Makhanya and actor Zweli Dube.

The Role Model of the Year category highlights LGBTI activists Ricky Kgostau, Phindi Malaza and Jay Motlou. The winner of the African Feather award will be announced on the night of the award ceremony, the 9th of November.

Explaining this year’s theme, ‘A Luta Continua’, Thami Kotlolo, Creative Director of the Feather Awards, said: “A luta continua is a struggle term which means the struggle continues and victory is certain. The LGBTI community is still facing issues such as stigma and discrimination, impact of exclusion, problems of homophobia, hate crimes, safety and right to public services.

“We hope that these awards will continue to be a voice to the voiceless and become a spear of hope to the weak,” he added.

The 9th Annual Feather Awards ceremony will take place on the 9th of November at the Theatre on the Track in Midrand. For the second year running, the event will be hosted by Khanya Mkhangisa and Lumko Johnson.

Here are all the 2017 nominees.

BEST-STYLED FEMALE
1. Dineo Moeketsi
2. Thando Thabethe
3. Kelly Khumalo

BEST-STYLED MALE
1. Trevor Stuurman
2. Ricky Rick
3. Aaron Moloisi

MEDIA AWARD
1. The Wound
2. Ukhozi (For SelBeyonce)
3. Phatu Makwarela (The Queen Head writer)

HOT CHICK OF THE YEAR
1. Natasha Thahane (The Queen)
2. K Naomi
3. Linda Mtoba (Isibaya)

HUNK OF THE YEAR
1. Jesse Suntele (BET – Alist)
2. Fezile Makhanya
3. Zweli Dube

CUTEST COUPLE OF THE YEAR
1. Mandisa Nduna and Thishiwe Ziqubu
2. Nomzamo Mbatha and Maps Maponyane
3. Pearl Thusi and Dj Zinhle

DIVA EXTRAORDINAIRE
1. Vatiswa Ndara (Igazi)
2. Basetsana Khumalo (Top Billing)
3. Carol Bouwer (Carol Bouwer Productions)

FAG-HAG OF THE YEAR
1. Chiano Sky (Musician)
2. Kelly Khumalo (Musician)
3. Manaka Ranaka (Generations)

SOCIALITE OF THE YEAR
1. Zodwa Wa Bantu (Media personality)
2. Skolopad (Media personality)
3. Basetsana Khumalo (Top Billing)

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
1. Amanda Black
2. Lady Zamar
3. Kwesta

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
1. Wayde Van Niekerk
2. Kagiso Rabada
3. Kass Naidoo

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
1. Ricky Kgostau (LGBTI Activist)
2. Phindi Malaza (LGBTI Activist)
3. Jay Motlou (LGBTI Activist)

DRAMA QUEEN OF THE YEAR
1. Skolopad (Media Personality)
2. Zodwa Wa Bantu (Media Personality)
3. Babes Wodumo + Mampintsha