We are thrilled to announce that The Fruit Basket (TFB) has been nominated for the South African award Thami Dish Foundation Feather Award for Role Model of the Year.TFB is an organization founded and headed by activist Thomars Shamuyarira, a forced migrant, transgender man from Zimbabwe, who is currently a research collaborator to PhD candidate Miriam Ocadiz. 
The Feather Awards are renowned for honouring individuals and organizations that exemplify exceptional leadership, resilience, and a commitment to positively impacting society. This esteemed nomination for Role Model of the Year spotlights the TFB's invaluable contributions toward advocating for the rights and well-being of LGBTQI+ refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
The Fruit Basket was founded on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and empowerment. Its key role has been to provide urgent and long-term support for people who arrived to South Africa due to persecution and discrimination based on their gender and sexuality. The organizations offers essential services such as shelter, asylum support, healthcare access, skills training, solidarity workshops, research and psychosocial assistance. As a result, TFB has become a beacon of hope and resilience for those seeking refuge and a better future. Even more, the TFB has a unique approach driven by the leadership and lived experiences of trans refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, which allows the organization to addresses specific challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in the context of seeking a sense of safety, belonging, self-empowerment and community-building.
With immense pride and gratitude, we, as The Fruit Basket, accept this nomination for the Thami Dish Foundation Feather Award. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Thami Dish Foundation for recognizing our efforts to create a more inclusive and accepting society for all. This nomination not only honors our organization but also highlights the resilience and strength of the LGBTQI+ forced migrant community in South Africa. We also extend our gratitude to all our partner organizations, volunteers and supporters who have stood by us every step of the way, including the project Engaged Scholarship Narratives of Change. Without their commitment and solidarity our work would not be possible. This recognition serves as a testament to the incredible work and unwavering dedication of TFB in supporting and empowering the LGBTQI+ refugee community in South Africa.
As we eagerly await the Feather Awards ceremony on the 9th of November 2023, we remain committed to our mission of creating a world where every LGBTQI+ refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker can find safety, support and a place we all can call home. Together, we can build a future that is inclusive, diverse and more just for all.
