On Monday night, Charl van den Berg, Mr Gay South Africa 2009, left for Oslo Norway, to represent South Africa at the Worldwide Mr Gay competition (www.worldwidemrgay.com) (previously known as Mr Gay World). Charl is accompanied by chaperone, Wilco Stemmet, of Bone Wear, one of the major sponsors of Mr Gay South Africa™, as well as being one of the sponsors of Worldwide Mr Gay – a first for a South African company.

Charl’s wardrobe as well as his national costume was designed by local designer, Peter Bondesio, and his formal suit was sponsored by GF Menswear of Fourways, Johannesburg. Underwear and swimwear are sponsored by Bone Wear of Lynnwood, Pretoria.

Charl and the other 31 delegates from all the continents of the world will be judged over a four day period from 10 to 13 February, and the winner and other titleholders will be announced at a gala event on Saturday, 13 February.

While in Oslo, Charl and the other delegates will meet the Lord Mayor of Oslo and the Prime Minister of Norway. They will also visit the Norwegian Parliament as well as the Nobel Institute.

The Worldwide Mr Gay competition stated it’s mission as a "Twenty First Century beauty contest where the delegates represent their nation as the best spokesperson and embody the spirit of their nation."

Charl said: “This is my first trip overseas, discounting the cruise to Mozambique with the finalists, so I am very excited. I will be punting South Africa as the first nation on earth to include gay rights in our Constitution, but will also underline the difficulties LGBTI people still face in our country as well as in the rest of Africa.”

South Africans are urged to vote for Charl on the website, www.worldwidemrgay.com, as the online vote will also be taken into considerations.