The 18th Feather Awards in Johannesburg on 5 November celebrated LGBTQIA+ visibility, creativity, community leadership and allyship — but this year's story went beyond the winners' list. ��️�� �� Feather Awards co-founder Baby Joe Correira received the Simon Nkoli Award, named for the pioneering anti-apartheid and gay rights activist. Correira was recognised for his long career in entertainment, breaking barriers and inspiring others. ✨ Lelo Meslane @lelowhatsgood , known as Lelo Whats Good and founder of Vogue Nights South Africa, became the first Thami Dish Award recipient for amplifying queer voices and creating space for community. ��️ The late fashion and media figure Maria McCloy was honoured posthumously: the former Designer of the Year category was renamed the Maria McCloy Award, with McCloy its inaugural recipient. �� The evening also spotlighted a 12-month Thami Dish Fellowship supporting nine emerging LGBTQIA+ leaders, one from each province. Co-founder Thami Willis announced he was stepping away from the awards to focus on his foundation and a new chapter. Other 2026 winners and honourees: • Hillary Shimi — Global Feather • Desiree Ellis — Sport Personality • Felicia Mabuza-Suttle — Role Model • Black Burns Fast — Media Platform • Salome Lebeko — Rainbow Parenting • Fanney Tsimong & Nhlanhla Ndaba — Cutest Couple • Thobeka Mbane — Fag Hag • Other Village People — LGBTQIA+ Youth Initiative • ABSA — LGBTQIA+ Private Sector Initiative • Professor Zozo Nene — LGBTQIA+ Public Sector Initiative • Kagiso Mogola — Best Styled Individual • Teddy Geldart DopeZuluboi — Hunk • Desiree Komi — Hot Chick • Manana — Musician • Credo V — Drama Queen • Coachella Randy — Social Media Personality • Miss Gaga — Diva Extraordinaire The Feathers recognise both LGBTQIA+ achievers and allies; these awards do not imply every recipient identifies as LGBTQIA+. @featherssa Reporting: MambaOnline and The Citizen 6 November 2026 . Infogaytion FeatherAwards LGBTQNews LGBTQSouthAfrica QueerCulture
Feather Awards 2026 celebrates 18 years of LGBTQ+ achievement
Co-founder Baby Joe Correira received the Simon Nkoli Award for breaking barriers in entertainment. Lelo Whats Good became the inaugural Thami Dish Award recipient for amplifying queer voices.