SUPPORT SA’S MR.GAY WORLD BID

The team behind South Africa’s bid to host Mr. Gay World in 2012 has asked the LGBT business community to support its upcoming pitch in the Philippines.

Francois Nel, Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2010, will be representing the country in Manila from the 9th to the 13th of March at Mr. Gay World 2011. The Grand Finale will take place at Club Mwah on Sunday evening, 13 March.

However, the organisers of Mr. Gay South Africa are also obliged to attend to put forward their bid presentation, screen a video in support of hosting the event in South Africa and be available to sign the contracts should the country be given the nod.

“The chances of South Africa being chosen is regarded as extremely good, as Africa has not had a chance to stage Mr. Gay World and has proven that it can present competitions of international standard,” said Coenie Kukkuk from Mr. Gay South Africa.

“Furthermore, both the president of Mr. Gay World, Eric Butter, and the Director: Africa, Brian Merriman, have expressed their support and enthusiasm for South Africa as the host country,” he said.

However, to get the team there and to accommodate them is expensive and no less than R58 000 is needed for flights alone, Kukkuk explained.

He has urged businesses and companies that are interested in assisting with the bid to contact him at coenie@mrgaysouthafrica.co.za.

“The support of the community is now needed more than ever to make Mr. Gay World 2012 in South Africa a reality. Donations in cash or merchandise to be auctioned will be gratefully welcomed,” added Nel.

To-date, Kat-Man-Doo, the five star gay male retreat in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, has generously donated six weekends for two to be sold by Mr. Gay South Africa – the proceeds going directly towards the travelling costs to Manila.

The normal price is R800 per person per night, but the “Manila Special” for the benefit of Mr. Gay South Africa, is going for only R650 per person per night, or R433 per person per night if guests stay Sunday night as well.

To book for any of these weekends, mail coenie@mrgaysouthafrica.co.za. Only two packages are available per weekend and a deposit of 50% is required.

Babylon nightclub in Pretoria has also donated some of their door takings towards the bid costs, and Foreplay Energy Drink has donated stock towards the venture.