By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng: Photo Credit: @FabAcademic.
The highly anticipated Feather Awards is almost upon us and earlier today the colourful list of 2022 nominees were announced following the hoisting of the Pride flag at the home of human rights Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg.
For years, the awards have been subject to some criticism from the queer community about the emphasis on celebrities, sometimes at the expense of the very community the awards were created to serve.
The organisers of the Feather Awards seem to have taken this feedback to heart as it shows in the nominees who will be duking it out for the coveted pink diamond this year.
The announcement for the nominees came after the hoisting of the Pride flag at the home of human rights Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg.
With this year marking the 14th annual event, the official Feathers hashtag for this year will be #Feathers14.
It will, sadly, also be the first time in four years that the main event will not be hosted (and partly produced) by the beloved Lumko Johnson Leqela who passed away earlier this year. Prior to their passing, Lumko had hosted and scripted the Feathers in addition to the other jobs they had.
This year, the hosting baton will be passed to one of Lumko’s mentees, Candice Modiselle who will hold down the awards ceremony alongside her sisters Bontle and Refilwe. They will be joined by sign language activist Andiswa Gebashe who shared some of her knowledge with the audience before the nominees were announced.
This year, the awards will return to the Market Theatre in Johannesburg and are set to take place on Thursday, 10 November 2022.
2022 Feather Awards 2022 Nominees
Best Styled Individual
- Nkuley Masemola
- Bradley Ndlovu
- Ponahalo Mojapelo
Hunk of the Year
- Shahan Ramkisoon
- Senzo Radebe
- Anton Jeftha
Diva Extraordinaire of the Year
- Yvonne Chaka-Chaka
- Abigail Khubeka
- John Kani
Sports Personality of the Year
- Kgothatso Monjane
- Banyana Banyana
- Andile Dlamini
Role Model of the Year
- Banyana Banyana
- Kass Naidoo
- FEW
Cutest Couple
- Koleka Putuma and Robyn
- Lamiez Holworthy and Khuli Chana
- Boity Thulo and Anton Jefta
Hot Chick of the Year
- Rose-Mary Zimu
- Nkuley Masemola
- Nambitha Ben-Mazwi
Media Award of the Year
- YFM
- ENCA
- EXIT
Fag Hag of the Year
- Candice Modiselle
- Judy Nokwedi
- Vuyo Mse-Ngcukana
Designer of the Year (new category)
- Sello Medupi for Scalo
- Palesa Mokobung
- Donald Nxumalo
Musician of the Year
- Musa Keys
- Zakes Bantwini
- Msaki
Socialite of the Year (Seen at every opening of an envelope or an erection of a stop sign)
- Birth of Stars
- Tumi Powerhouse
- Rami Chuene
Drama Queen of the Year
- Thato (RHOCT)
- SK Khoza
- Professor Mokgethi
Social Media Personality of the Year
- Birth of Stars
- Tumi Powerhouse
- Khanyisa Unflitered
Best LGBTIQ Initiative: Private Sector
- Jagermeister
- Proctor and Gamble
- Meta SA
Best LGBTIQ Initiative: Public Sector
- Department of Social Development
- SAPS Sophiatown
- NYDA
Best LGBTIQ Youth Movement
- Active Wits
- Vogue Nights
- Impulse
Best Rainbow Parenting
- Shumi Dantile
- Treyvonne Moo (House of Diamonds)
- Buhle and Botshelo
This year, the Simon Nkoli Award will be awarded to internationally renowned choreographer and dancer Gregory Maqoma.
According to Feather Awards organisers, nominees are selected by a knowledgeable panel consisting of members of the media and entertainment industry, who are firmly in touch with what’s hot and what’s not on the South African social circuit.