Feather Awards 2013 Nominees Announced

It’s been 5 years, and the Feather Awards are ALL grown up – well, as grown up as the country’s cheekiest, most irreverent and unapologetic-ally fabulous awards ceremony can be! In a nod to this critical landmark, the event theme this year is Haute Couture. 

Gays, hags and the media ascended on Parktown this Tuesday for the Feather Awards announcement brunch. 

All the usual suspects were there so there is no need to get into the guestlist...

About the nominees

This year the list of nominees offers no real surprises as such but are to be commended for trying to bring in some new faces to the awards. Since these awards are nothing like the world famous GLAAD awards and are more about "gays" honoring celebs for being celebs and 'fabulous' one has always worried that they might get redundant and run out of stars to honor as the pool in SA is really small. 

Kudos to the team for managing to keep the awards relevant without having to nominate the industry's A-list clique. 

And the ceremony?

SABC 1 will once again broadcast the award ceremony which will take place on the 14th November at Kyalami. The channel promises that this year viewers would not have to wait for months after the actual event to see the ceremony on air. They promise that they will air them sooner after the actual event, not live though.   

Verdict

What would the Feathers be without a bit of controversy. I am already seeing gays on social media questioning Akhumzi's nod as a Fag Hag. 

It's great to see new talent like Maps Maponyane and Nomzamo Mbatha get recognised. That adds a fresh spin. One can only hope that at the award show the organisers will not use their gay friends and actually get people who know what they are doing to host and entertain the guests. 

Last year's broadcast left a lot to be desired. From the red carpet coverage to the performances, it just did not live up to the glamorous brand the organisers have built.  We love Kelly Khumalo, Lucia Mthiyane, Bujy and Olwetu, etc ... they are great people but if these awards are to have any credibility at all, can they just not put people on stage or in front of the cameras just to boost their egos and/or play to the friendships connections.

An investment in new talent and people with experience would serve only to elevate this brand. 

Congrats to the Feather Awards. Five years on and they still pushing boundaries. I am very proud of the team and their tenacious efforts. 

PS: It would be interesting to know who the judges are. 

These are the nominees for the category, followed by all of the nominees:

Media Award of the Year
Intersexions
After 9
Mamba Online

Best Styled Female
For ladies who consistently kept to their style throughout the year.

Azania Mosaka
Anele Mdoda
Minnie Dlamini

Best Styled Male 
Men who've remained stylish throughout the year.
Maps Maponyane
Da L.E.S.
Thapelo Mokoena

Hunk of the Year
Men whoooze the X-factor, you look at them and you want a strong hug. 

Maps Maponyane
Anga Makhubela
Pallance Dladla

Diva Extraordinaire of the Year 
Women who always carry themselves well - they have a strong presence. 

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane
David Tlale (was nominated in the category last year too)
Mamphela Ramphele

Sports Personality of the Year
People who have inspired in the world of sports. 

S’manga Khumalo (Jockey: Winner of the Durban July)
Itumeleng Khune
Lucas Sithole (Paralympian : winner of theUS Open Quad Grand Slam)

Role model of the Year
They never put a foot wrong in the public eye, they continue to contribute positively to society.

Thulani Madondo
Terry Pheto
Zoleka Mandela

Cutest Couple 
Couples that people adore and look up to.
Cameron and Thoba Sithole-Modisane
Mome and Tall Ass Mo
Minnie Dlamini and Itumeleng Khune

Hot Chick of the Year
Women who ooze a lot of sex appeal. 

Nomzamo Mbatha
Boity Thulo
Lalla Hirayama

Fag hag of the Year 
They never leave their home without their favorite accessories, a gay friend. 

Tamara Dey
Akhumzi Jezile
Pearl Thusi

Musician of the Year 
Musician we love to listen to, on and off stage.

Mafikizolo
Khuli Chana
Mi Casa

Socialite of the Year
Seen at every opening of an envelope or erection of a Stop sign.
Samkelo Ndlovu
Lerato Sengadi
Bujy Bikwa

Drama Queen of the Year 
The personalities we read about every Sunday over breakfast, their lives revolve around dramatic behaviors and situations. 

The Guptas, Mandla Mandela & Savita Mbuli

NOTE:

Voting for this category is via SMS with standard SMS rates. If you'd like to vote you can send an SMS to: 47439 with these Feather details for each nominee:

Feathers1 - The Guptas

Feathers2 - Mandla Mandela

Feathers3 - Savita Mbuli