Brian Merriman, Director: Africa & Europe of
Mr Gay World, announced to the audience at the Grand Finale of
Mr Gay South Africa™ 2010, recently held at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, that not only did South Africa produce the best national competition, but that he will be supporting South Africa as the host country for the international event in 2012. His announcement was met with a cheering, standing ovation by the audience.
On the night, Francois Nel from Centurion was crowned
Mr Gay South Africa™ 2010, as well as Bone Wear Model of the Year, Mr CW Designer Jewellers and Mr Personality. The first runner-up was André Lammers from Cape Town and second runner-up was Karl-Heinz Michel from Pretoria. Jared Lee Smit, also from Pretoria, won the Schwarzkopf Hair Model of the Year award.
Francois walked away with prizes valued at over R200 000, including the use of a Proton Satrio Neo which he will be driving into the next year. He is currently on a week-long trip to Namibia, attending his first foreign engagement, the year-end function of LGBT Network Namibia, where he will be the guest speaker, and will then be pampered for a week at a lodge in the Kaokoveld, sponsored by Namibia JJ Tours. He also won a week in Phuket, Thailand, at the BougainVilla Guest House as well as prizes from Bone Wear, Maria Garcia™ International Skincare, Schwarzkopf™, True Religion Jeans, College SA, CW Design Jewellery, Eden Lodge, Hotel Izulu, The Dental Spa, Roberto Cavalli, Edit Innovations, Quintessentially, painter Deon Steyn and he received the Mr. Gay South Africa™ trophy designed by Chris Winspear. As he was also chosen as Mr. Personality, he also picked up a weekend at the exclusive River Bend Lodge near Addo Elephant Park.
Francois will be representing South Africa at the
Mr Gay World 2011 competition in Manila, Phillipines during March 2011 and he will be escorted by the bid committee from Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd., consisting of Director of Operations Coenie Kukkuk, Financial Director Barry Vorster and Logistics Manager, John-Louis O’Neil. A presentation will be made in Manila to host
Mr Gay World 2012 in South Africa, including a welcoming video to the country.
Kukkuk said: “A programme for the delegates to
Mr Gay World 2012 has already been handed over to Mr. Gay World and will include visits to the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Sun City, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the Cradle of Humankind and Lesedi Cultural Village amongst others. Tasks for the delegates will be included and reviewed by the judges. We are overjoyed to announce that the president of
Mr Gay World, Eric Butter, has reacted with enthusiasm to South Africa’s bid.”
The host country for
Mr Gay World 2012 is expected to be announced at the Grand Finale of
Mr Gay World on 13 March 2011 in Manila, when
Mr Gay World 2010, South African Charl van den Berg, will hand over his crown.
Sponsors who are interested to support South Africa’s bid, are invited to send presentations to
[email protected].