MambaOnline.com is proud to celebrate its founder and Editor-in-Chief, Luiz De Barros, who will receive the Simon Nkoli Award at the 2025 Feather Awards on the 6th of November. The honour recognises his extraordinary contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility, storytelling, and activism in South Africa.
Named after the late Simon Nkoli, one of South Africa’s most influential queer liberation and anti-apartheid activists, the award pays tribute to individuals who have dedicated their lives to advancing the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people.
Over more than two decades, De Barros has played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s queer media landscape, often using filmmaking and journalism as a form of activism. His work has helped spark national conversations around equality, faith, and representation, while providing a vital platform for advocacy and connection across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
De Barros founded MambaOnline.com in 2001, at a time when queer stories and voices were largely invisible in the media. What began as a small digital platform has since evolved into South Africa’s leading LGBTQ+ online publication, a trusted voice that documents the community’s triumphs, challenges, and evolving culture.
De Barros also made an impact in the film and television sector by directing several award-winning queer-themed broadcast documentaries on topics such as the life and legacy of queer icon Granny Lee and same-sex adoption. He further worked in the HIV advocacy space, heading up strategic communications for OUT LGBT Well-being, the second-oldest LGBTQ+ organisation in South Africa.
“This award is deeply humbling,” said De Barros. “When I started MambaOnline, my goal was simply to ensure that our stories were told, honestly, proudly, and without apology. This recognition reminds me that visibility still matters, and that we continue to shape a future built on inclusion, representation, and courage.”
The Feather Awards, now in their 17th year, celebrate individuals and organisations who embody visibility, diversity, and excellence within the LGBTQ+ community and among its allies. The 2025 edition, themed “Pause, Look, and Listen to your Heart”, will once again spotlight those whose contributions have shaped South Africa’s social and cultural landscape.
As MambaOnline continues to grow under expanding leadership, Luiz De Barros’s influence remains deeply woven into its mission to tell the stories that matter, challenge stereotypes, and amplify queer voices across the country and the continent.
See all the 2025 Feather Awards honourees and nominees here.
