The Feather Awards and Thami Dish Foundation have stripped reality TV star Zodwa Wabantu of her 2017 award. This comes after her homophobic comments that were made on her reality show “Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored” earlier this month.
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The local entertainer was awarded with the Drama Queen of The Year Award in 2017. The Feather Awards recognise and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community, iconic personalities and achievers who inspire the LGBTQI+ community.
In a recent episode of Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored on DStv’s Moja Love, Zodwa made insensitive comments about the LGBTQI+ community.
In a statement released by the organisation, it states: “It is with great disappointment that The Feather Awards confirm that Zodwa Wabantu is hereby stripped of the award that was conferred to her as an all who symbolised freedom of expression, and challenged the status quo that often oppresses the marginalised.”
The organisation also took the opportunity to address Phat Joe’s recent homophobic remarks made on-air on Wednesday, saying: “We also welcome the suspension of radio personality Phat Joe, for his homophobic statements against the LGBTQI+ community.”
“We have noticed, with great concern, a growing number of public figures making irresponsible statements on various public platforms,” public relations manager Lebo Mphelo added to the statement.
Zodwa Wabantu has issued an apology following backlash for homophobic remarks. “I would like to say to every bisexual, transgender (and) gays. I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t mean it like that,” – Zodwa said on her reality show on Saturday. Moja Love has also released a statement apologising for Wabantu’s comments and DStv distanced themselves from her comments.
Image Courtesy: instagram.com/zodwalibram