Feather Awards 2025: Glamour, Activism, and Queer Excellence Take Centre Stage
The 2025 Feather Awards’ Cutest Couple of the Year, Crosby Jodwana and Sean Nhlapo, who recently made headlines due to their traditional wedding, thanked both their supporters “and the haters”. (All photos: MambaOnline)
The always fabulous and glamorous Feather Awards honoured a host of LGBTIQ+ achievers, changemakers, and creative talent in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
Held at The Venue in the Melrose Arch precinct, the 17th annual celebration brought together activists, celebrities, and allies under the theme “Pause, Look and Listen to Your Heart.”
“The Feathers have always been about more than the lights and glamour; they’re about reflection, authenticity, and courage,” said Feather Awards co-founder Thami Dish. “In a time where so many are rushing through life, this night was an invitation to slow down, reconnect with your truth, and celebrate the power of living boldly and unapologetically.”
Shumi Dantile and Feather Awards co-founder Thami Dish sparkled on the red carpet
A Night of Glitz, Glamour and Celebration
The evening was brought to life by the dynamic duo Khaya Dladla and Andiswa P. Gebashe, with Pink Carpet hosts Penny Lebyane and Troy Malange adding their signature energy, charm, and colourful flair.
Their vibrant presence kept the night electric as they guided guests through a programme filled with heartfelt tributes, performances by the likes of Lira and Donovan Yaards, and the celebration of extraordinary individuals making a lasting impact in and beyond the LGBTIQ+ community.
Hunk of the Year winner, Troy Malange, charmed the audience.
Honouring Progress and Collective Effort
One of the evening’s most notable moments came when Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, accepted the award for Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative in the Public Sector on behalf of the government, in recognition of the passage of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill.
Letsike invited several LGBTIQ+ activists to join her on stage, acknowledging the two decades of civil society advocacy that made the legislation a reality. “This was a collective initiative,” she said, adding that the work of activists is too often “underpaid and undervalued.”
Deputy Minister Steve Letsike on stage with several LGBTIQ+ activists.
Celebrating Icons and Changemakers
Internationally acclaimed choreographer Lee-che Janecke, best known for his work with South African superstar Tyla, was named Honorary Role Model of the Year. Although unable to attend due to professional commitments, he appeared in video message to express his gratitude, while his mother and sisters accepted the award on his behalf.
An emotional John Meletsi received the African Feather of the Year Award for his tireless advocacy in advancing the rights and visibility of both the LGBTQI+ and Deaf communities.
MambaOnline.com founder and Editor-in-Chief Luiz De Barros was honoured with the Simon Nkoli Award, which he dedicated “to all the queer journalists, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and poets who continue to tell our stories.”
“You give our lives meaning, context, and history,” he said. “You remind us that we are here, we have always been here, and we will not be erased.”
Zandile Mabaso, winner of the Best LGBTIQ+ Youth Movement award, with Luiz De Barros, recipient of the Simon Nkoli Award.
Ending the Night in Dance
It was disappointing that representatives from both Nedbank #PrideAtWork (winner of Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative in the Private Sector) and Netflix (recipient of Media Award of the Year) were absent and did not collect their awards.
The night concluded on a high note with an electrifying performance by the incomparable Busiswa, who earlier in the evening received the Fag Hag of the Year Award. Her high-energy set transformed the venue into a vibrant, impromptu dance floor, closing out the celebration in true Feather Awards style — with joy, pride, and unapologetic queerness.
Busiswa and her dancers brought the night to an end on a high note.
THE FEATHERS AWARDS 17 WINNERS ARE:
Hunk of the Year: Troy Malange
Diva Extraordinaire of the Year: Lilian Dube
Designer of the Year: Mzukisi Mbane
Hot Chick of the Year: Luyanda Zuma
Social Media Personality of the Year: Zaca Dominic
Best Styled Individual: Mordecai
Sports Personality of the Year: Andile Dlamini
Drama Queen of the Year: SImphiwe Dana and ‘Her’ Hairstyle
Musician of the Year: Nkosazana Daughter
Socialite of the year: Gogo Skhotheni
Best Rainbow Parenting: Sfisio Khumalo and Vusumuzi Sobopha
Cutest Couple of the Year: Crosby Jodwana and Sean Nhlapo
The Honorary Recipient of the Fag Hag of the Year: Busiswa
The Honorary Recipient for Role Model of the Year: Lee-che Janecke
The Honorary Recipient Media Award of the Year: Netflix
The Honorary Recipient of the Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative in the Public Sector: Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill
The Honorary Recipient for Best LGBTIQ+ Initiative in the Private Sector: Nedbank #PrideAtWork
The Honorary Recipient for Best LGBTIQ+ Youth Movement: Zandile Mabaso
Global Feather of the Year: Jacqueline Kasha (Uganda)
African Feather of the Year: John Meletsi
Simon Nkoli Award: Luiz De Barros
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