Caster scores big at Feather Awards
GLITZ, GLAMOUR AS GAUTENG FLAUNTS STYLE
TRACK star and 2016 Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya emerged the biggest winner at the 8th Chevrolet Feather Awards when she scooped two trophies in Johannesburg last night.
Although Semenya was not in attendance, TV presenter Aaron Moloisi accepted the Sports Personality of the Year and Role Model of the Year awards on her behalf. The event took place at The Theatre on the Track in Kyalami.
Struggle heroine Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who could not attend the event due to ill health, won the Diva Extraordinaire Award and star of the moment Babes Wodumo scooped the Musician of the Year gong.
Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon accepted the award on behalf of MadikizelaMandela. In her acceptance speech read by Rantseli-Elsdon, MadikizelaMandela said: “When I fought for freedom, it was a freedom for all not a freedom that discriminates others.”
The beef between hip-hop rapper AKA, his girlfriend Bonang Matheba and baby mama DJ Zinhle that started last year was dramatic enough to earn the trio the Drama Queen of the Year nod.
TV presenter and actor Lawrence Maleka won Best-styled Male Award while Best-styled Female went to Mbali Mlotshwa.
SK Khoza, star of The Queen on Mzansi Magic, was presented with Hunk of the Year Award. Idols SA judge Somizi Mhlongo and best friend Thato TT Mbha won the Cutest Couple of the Year award. Other winners included Ayanda Thabethe, who scopped the Hot Chick of the Year gong.
The awards are staged annually by the LGBTI community to celebrate public figures who empower and are revered by the public.
Afro-pop star Kelly Khumalo, who opened the show, was backed by Mzansi Gay Choir who sang a song titled This is My Journey.
While Khumalo and the choir were singing, placards that read, “My son is still my son whether he
is gay” and “I love my gay brother” were held aloft.
Brenda Mntambo and other singers brought the house down with the song Lady Marmalade, made popular by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink.
In a night of glitz and glamour, masters of ceremonies Lumko Johnson and Khanya Mkangisa did a great job. Celebrities, wannabes, attention-seekers and the pink community at large came out in numbers. While others dressed to impress, there were those that rolled in their jeans and sneakers.
Mkangisa and Khumalo wore sheer dresses and similar shoes. Among the best dressed were Zizo Tshwete, Keabetswe Motsilanyane, Thandy Matlaila, Ntando Duma, Jessica Mbangeni.
Mhlongo and Mbha made a grand entrance in their casual clothes. The worst dresser of the evening was Mirriam Ngomane with her white skimpy dress.
Durban Nyts also performed. Gauteng premier David Makhura payed tribute to members of the LGBTI community who were killed and raped for who they are.
We pay tribute to the founder of the awards Thami Kotlolo for his role. We need to educate our community about the issues of LGBTI. People are killed everyday in our community for being themselves.”