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Dineo Langa is dedicating her hosting duties at this year’s 16th annual Feather Awards to her fallen gay uncles, often friends of her famous mother Kgomotso "KG" Moeketsi, who showed her what representation and inclusivity was as a young girl.
The 35-year-old actor and personality was on Wednesday announced as the host of the awards taking place on November 7.
She will be joined by House of Zwide actor Khaya Dladla and sign language interpreter Andiswa Gebashe, returning to the Feathers stage for a third consecutive year.
“I didn’t have to wrap my mind around what diversity was growing up because I was raised with LGBTQIA+ uncles, who were free to be themselves. This is how I understood the world to be,” said Langa.
“So, I’m quite excited about hosting this year. I think Khanya and I will get along and this one will be a fun one for the books."
Langa assed that as a first-time host she is going to make the most if it, especially on the fashion front.
“As a society, we need to get to a point where we don’t see sexuality or gender. We should push the confinements imposed on us and just be ourselves as best as we can be,” she said.
“These awards have a positive messaging every year and I hope they are not just a ceremony for the winners but everyone else watching. I hope they get to see that there is no gate or fence to limit them. I hope those who don’t have a voice or are closeted find the courage to open the door and let themselves free.
“Another thing I’m excited about is that I’m going to walk away from this experience having learnt a new language, sign language. So, I can’t wait for next month.”
Present at the nominees event at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, were celebrity twins Blue and Brown Mbombo. They are nominated for Cutest Couple. They will duke it out with comedienne siblingd Celeste and Fezile Ntuli as well as creative collective Justice and Fhatuwani Mukheli.
“Brown and I are dedicating this nomination to our mother, who we lost in May this year," Blue said.
“It’s been a tough couple of months. We’ve been in such a grieving space, so coming here felt like a blessing and a sign that Brown and I will be okay and we should keep our sisterhood strong.”
Brown said their strong sisterly bond kept her going.
“Should we win this award, we will celebrate by going on a trip to the Seychelles. Blue and I have always wanted to go, so that place is the right place to honour our mother and show her that we’re doing well here on earth,” Brown said.
Veteran fashion stylist and regular SMag collaborator Felipe Mazibuko will be presented with a Simon Nkoli Award for the impact he has made in the LGBTQIA+ community.
