Updated: SA’s Mr Gay World 2011 goes missing

Update: Nel has been found alive. More details here.

n a shocking turn of events, Francois Nel, Mr Gay SA 2010 and Mr Gay World 2011, is reported to have gone missing.

The news comes shortly after the death of his predecessor Charl Van Den Berg, 33, who was Mr Gay SA 2009 and Mr Gay World 2010, from cancer.

The Mr Gay SA fraternity suffered a further blow last month when Zander Barnard, a popular Mr Gay SA 2015 finalist, passed away at his home at the age of 32.

On Friday, Mambaonline was alerted to a post on Missing Children SA’s Facebook page announcing that Nel, 33, was missing after last being seen on 25 September at about 10h30 at his home in Krugersdorp.

We contacted Missing Children SA who confirmed that he has still not been found and that he was reported missing by his mother.

Coenie Kukkuk, Mr Gay World Director for Africa & Middle East, told Mambaonline: “We are aware of the missing person’s report and we are deeply concerned.” He called for anyone who has any information regarding Nel to come forward.

Nel has green eyes and brown hair. He weighs about 80kg and is 1.8m tall and has a distinctive scar on his abdomen from an operation as a child.

Nel is a makeup artist and hair stylist. He won the 3rd Mr. Gay World in Mandaluyong City in the Philippines in March 2011.

If anyone has seen Nel or has any information, please contact Missing Children SA on 072 647 7464 or Colonel Van Staden at the Krugersdorp SAPS on 011 951 1036.