‘We are unapologetic when it comes to inclusion’ – Thami Dish on this year’s Feather Awards

They return again after a successful 14 years of fighting for the rights of those in the LGBTQI+ community.

The co-founder of the Feather Awards, Thami Dish Kotlolo, shared in a statement that inclusivity has always been the key driving factor of the Feathers.

“Inclusivity is not about celebrating the community for a few days in a year,” he says. 

“Government and corporates need to support the community, get involved in programmes and initiatives 365 days of the year, not just in June or October when the exercise of ticking boxes needs to happen,” he adds. 

“We, the queer community, are unfvcken [unapologetic] about being heard, being seen, being recognised and been included. This doesn’t take away from organisations that offer unwavering support for the community. We see you and value your support. To all the nominees best of luck for the upcoming awards next month.” 

Thami says there is still a lot more work to be done in the LGBTQI community. 

“Covid-19 slowed down the process and now it’s time to accelerate the transformation and get back on track. And it’s going to take all of us to do it. From the public sector and the private sector, government and businesses need to put their money where their mouths are,” he says. 

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Partnering with the Thami Dish Foundation, which focuses on desensitising the LGBTIQ community to the public at large, via the LGBTIQ+ Dialogues, workshop and trainings done in communities across South Africa, the highly anticipated Feather Awards announced the nominees at an intimate affair with speakers, including this year's award hosts, the Modiselle sisters, Refilwe, Bontle and Candice.

Thami Dish as well as the reigning Miss South Africa, Ndavi Nokeri, alongside Miss SA CEO Stephanie Courtney-Weil were also there. 

Each category nominee whether individual or organisation from both the private and business sectors is selected by a 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.

The awards will be held at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg on Thursday, 10th November 2022.