This will be achieved by staging a nationwide campaign with regional finals, leading up to the Grand Finale at the end of every year, as was done in 2009. The Grand Finale in the Opera of the State Theatre last year, in front of more than 1 000 people, was the biggest national gay event of its kind in Africa. The winner, Charl van den Berg, then won the 2010 Mr Gay World title in Oslo.

Two of the directors, Cor Janse van Rensburg and Juan Lerm, have left to further their careers abroad. The new board consists of Coenie Kukkuk from Pretoria, who is staying on from last year; Barry Vorster; and Hennie Crafford. Vorster is from Johannesburg and Crafford from Cape Town, and this will ensure that the main centres where the biggest gay populations are, are represented on the Board.

Kukkuk said in Pretoria: “Both Barry and Hennie were part of the competition last year, as sponsors and as judges on the cruise to Mozambique. They are very committed to uphold the high standards set by last year’s competition and it is a privilege to welcome them to the company.”

The new board has secured Lerm’s services as Operational Consultant. Much of the team of co-workers of 2009 will stay on such as Gerrit Prinsloo, choreographer, who will this year also help manage operations; John-Louis O’Neil, who will be in charge of logistics; Leon Nel from Alternative Travel (the cruise company), who will assist with the cruise; and many others.

This year will see four ‘Regional Finals’ of which the winner and the first runner-up will automatically qualify as finalists in the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 competition, producing eight finalists – most of which are planned just after the 2010 FIFA World Cup:

1. East – has already taken place at the 2010 Pink Loerie in Knysna;
2. Central – Durban on 24 July at Durban View Guest House at 20:00;
3. South – Cape Town on 7 August at The Glen Boutique Hotel at 20:00;
4. North – to be held in Gauteng towards the middle of August (to be announced).

For more information, contact [email protected]. Entry is R50 and it is compulsory to email in order to book.

Any out and proud gay man between the ages of 18 and 40 may enter at any one of the regional finals. It is not bound by province or city. All details regarding venues and dates will be released within the next month.

Contestants are invited to enter the competition now by clicking here.

The Directors will invite four wild cards on merit. As was done last year, all 12 finalists, chosen from across South Africa, will be taken on a cruise onboard the MSC Sinfonia from Durban to Mozambique for four days prior to the big Gala Event where the winner will be chosen. The cruise is taking place from 15 to 19 November and anyone interested in joining the group can contact Leon from Rainbow Cruises on [email protected] to book a cabin. 'Early bird' specials are now available. Any finalist who is unable to go on the cruise, will be disqualified as most of the judging takes place then.

Sponsors who are interested to become part of this prestigious event, should contact Hennie on [email protected]. Advertisers should contact Barry on [email protected] and if you want to host any of the Regional Finals at your venue, contact Coenie on [email protected].
For any other enquiries, write to [email protected].