Nomsa Buthelezi and her wife Zandile Shezi nominated for Cutest Couple award

Nomsa Buthelezi and wife Zandile Shezi have marked their first wedding anniversary with a Feather Awards nomination.

The Generations: The Legacy actress together with her sweetheart, who she married in September last year, are nominated for Cutest Couple of the Year at the 12th annual awards that honour the LGBTIQ community.

The couple was in attendance when the nominations were announced yesterday afternoon at Truffles on the Park in Sandton, Johannesburg.

They will compete against Ricki Kgositau and Tony Kanza as well as Sape and Vaivi Maodi-Swartz.

“It feels great, I didn ’ t expect it. It ’ s amazing and I ’ m happy. I was just telling Zandile that I never got this much attention before her,” Buthelezi said.

“She is my good luck charm. She ’ s truly a blessing in my life, I mean I ’ ve been dating for years and such things never happened. Now all of a sudden I ’ m cute. We just celebrated our one year anniversary and the year has been filled with beautiful colours.

“We keep it simple and we have been having so much fun like we are still dating. I wish for our marriage to be like that throughout. ”

Other nominees in attendance included Blue Mbombo, Celeste Khumalo, Connie Chiume, Napo Masheane and Fezile Mkhize.

Mbombo and Khumalo will duke it out for Hot Chick of the Year. Gomora actor Siphesihle Ndaba completes the category.

Fezile on the other hand will compete for Hunk of the Year against Ryle Rene de Morny and Gorata Nzimande.

Chiume is nominated for Diva Extraordinaire of the Year alongside Lindiwe Sisulu and Refilwe Modiselle.

Siya Kolisi, Bongiwe Msomi and Makazole Mapimpi are the nominees for Sports Personality of the Year.

The Musician of the Year nominees are Master KG, Makhadzi and Zoe Modiga. Socialite of the Year gives recognition to Olwee, Sarah Langa and Shauwn Mkhize. Mkhize is also nominated for Fag Hag of the Year against Shumi Dantile and Siv Ngezi.

Ngezi leads the shortlist for Social Media Personality of the Year. He will compete against Aus Velemina, Vuyokazi Nguqu and Coconut Kelz.

The controversial Drama Queen of the Year category gives nod to the Covid-19 Solidarity Fund, The Gigabytes as well as Somizi and Dinner kwa Somizi.

“Can you believe it, we are 12 years old this year,” said Thami Kotlolo, co-founder of the Feather Awards. “What a ride it ’ s been. From starting out as a small celebration of our community, the Feathers have transformed into a gigantic well-oiled operation. Showcasing our LGBTIQ community to the world, empowering South African youth with the LGBTIQ+ Dialogues and then of course the big celebration at the end with these over-the-top colourful awards.

“And with slight delay in all festivities this year, we are turning up the love and looking to a positive future ahead in 2021.”

The winners will be announced on November 11 in a closed ceremony.