MR. GAY SA 2011 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
and North West regions.
Organisers have announced the names of the 14 national finalists competing for the title of Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2011, following regional interviews around the country.
In addition to the 14 finalists, a 15th will be selected by the public from a shortlist of 13 names through SMS voting.
The majority of the contestants are from the Western Cape and Gauteng, with the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga fronting finalists for the first time.
The 15 finalists will be formally judged a further two times; once on a cruise in November (50% of the vote) and then at the grand finale evening at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on Saturday 26 November (25%).
The public will also be able vote for their favourite overall finalist, with this making up 25% of the total score.
The 2011 titleholder will compete in the 2012 Mr. Gay World competition, which will be held in Johannesburg in April next year.
When asked about the predominantly white faces of the finalists, Mr. Gay South Africa Director Coenie Kukkuk acknowledged that this remained a frustrating concern for the organisers.
“We have worked extremely hard to source candidates from diverse communities but can only work with the contestants that put themselves forward,” he said.
He noted, nevertheless, that the number of applicants of colour grew from 11% in 2009 to just over 30% in 2011.
“And for the first time we have a candidate of Indian decent among the finalists and finalists from provinces like the Eastern Cape and two from Mpumalanga for the first time. Overall, they are a diverse group in terms of personalities, appearance, background and region.
Eastern Cape regions.
“We are also involving the community to choose the 15th candidate,” he added.
Below are the 14 finalists in alphabetical order, according to surnames and their provinces:
Randall Benjamin (WC); Casper Bosman (FS); Rudolph Cupido (MP); Fahraaz Dockrat (KZN); Gordon Grieve (GP); Franco Human (WC); Charles Wayne Jacobs (GP); Douw Naude (GP); Mnqobi Banele Njoko (KZN); Alexander Steyn (GP); Adam van Niekerk (MP); Andre van Schalkwyk (WC) James-John Vivier (WC); Lance Christopher Weyer (EC).
The contestants in the shortlist from which the 15th finalist will be selected, including their SMS code, are:
Gerhard Barkhuizen (GSA A); Francois Coetzee (GSA B); Juanne-Pierre de Abreu (GSA C); Leon Erasmus (GSA D); Gideon Groenewald (GSA E); Cassiday Jacobs (GSA F); Ikraam Kraft (GSA G); Ryan Lourens (GSA H); Elreech Marney (GSA I); Hlanga Mkhatshane (GSA J); Tsholo Nkoli (GSA K); Nic Pienaar (GSA L); and Marius Adriaan Pool (GSA M).
To vote for one of these to become the 15th finalist, send an SMS with the contestant’s SMS code (eg. GSA H) to 34008. Each SMS costs R2 and you can send a maximum of 100 per day.
So the gay beauty pageants are now where the straight ones were in 1990: so much whiteness it’s like a 1930s affirmative action programme to uplift the “arm blanke”.
no offence (I don’t have a perfect body) but some of them need to hit the gym.
Hi M – that is the reason why regionals are held – to choose the best all-rounders. Beauty and brains.
wow, how easy it is for one to judge. sitting behind your keyboard. you try and do something like this. that is why we will never be accepted, gay people are to judgemental!!!
Ditto
You try and do this, takes allot of guts! you go boys!!
That’s an understatement, Mel 😀
See our reply re racism above.
Anyone who thinks the lineup is too white needs to seriously consider the level of homophobia that still exists in our country. In my (Indian) community it is rife. It’s extremely difficult to get someone from my community to NOT refer to their boyfriend as their ‘friend’ at work let alone partake in the most public spectacle of out-and-proud-ness one can imagine. Even if one is out, the bringing ‘shame’ upon your family bullshit weighs down like a lead noose. You don’t believe me? Think the organisers haven’t done their work? Wake up? When was the last time you minced though a township? Better yet, between now and next year go and ask as many of your non-white friends whether they would enter Mr GSA next year and note down the reasons they give when they say thanks for the compliment but NO!!! The fact that non-white entrants have increased by 30% or whatever says a lot. It takes a long time for societies to become tolerant, give it a chance. As for the physiques… I take my hat off to the judges and the contestants for not reinscribing stereotypes. For proving the opportunity for real role models to shine. If it’s not to your taste log on to a site that satisfies you. There are enough screwed up insecure, affection craving teenagers with eating disorders or on steroids, trying to live up to some ridiculous dream body that probably won’t bring them true happiness in the end.
thanks Y
Yolan! hit that nail straight to it!
Well said!!
Part 1:
As it does every year,accusations of ‘racism’ against Mr. GSA always rear their ugly heads. We will address this issue immediately and now and not discuss it again. Please also note that work for Mr. GSA is voluntary and we do not get paid for it. The competition does not show a profit and barely breaks even – there was actually a shortfall last year. Keep that in mind.
The racism issue – we bend over backwards to get non-European candidates. We even go so far as to publicly say that, many times and bearing the brunt from the white community that we are practicing reverse racism. I personally invited literally nearly 100 if not more non-white guys. THEY JUST DO NOT ENTER. Reasons are many – backlash from families, not out at work, not out to family, fear etc – all legitimate reasons.
Further:
1. Lots of time is spend inviting non-white participants to enter. We also invite white guys who we think have merit, but much ore time is spent on trying to canvass non-white guys. This is not part of the description of our duties – to beg guys to enter, but we do it anyhow.
2. Iggy Mnisi, a finalist in 2009, came 3rd in 2009. He has also acted there after as a judge in 2010 and 2011, mos recently at the Gauteng Regional Finals on Sat. 27 Aug 2011.
3. There are black judges at every regional, and at the Grand Finale. We could not find a black judge yet for the cruise, although we are negotiating, for the simple and plain reason that there are NO black persons of whom we know that have booked for the cruise. We are at this moment negotiating to pay for one to be on the cruise, with funds we do not have yet. There was a black judge on the cruise last year.
3. Two VERY important positions in the organisation last year (the only other outside positions being choreographer and director), namely main designer (Luiz Delaja) and photographer (Thabo Kunutu) were black.
(cont)
Part 2:
4. Our black participation was only 11% in 2009. In 2011 it was 30,1%. This due to behind the scenes work like people at Simply Blue and at Radio Outspoken etc on our request. We do not do that for whites. We have enough of them. Further, ALL contestants in KZN were black, there was a not a white in sight. We did not go out and canvass to find a white candidate as we have enough in the other provinces.
5. I have said many times that there is no reason that a black guy can not be Mr GSA and in time they will emerge. They have as I predicted – Tshepo Chuenyane won the biggest regional, Gauteng last year – and second? Shannon Rex who is coloured. Due to them winning, two white sponsors withdrew their sponsorships and said that the results were cooked for a political agenda. We never ever touch results. We have FOUR director’s choices that we can choose – why bother with regional results? to add to that, we have no black sponsors. And not through a lack of trying! Our judges will not choose a winner just because he is black – they are all leaders from the community – members of activist groups such as Iggy Mnisi and Frank Malaba and members from the media and activist organisations who will very quickly act if they see a hint of racism. They will still choose THE BEST candidate. We have won Mr. Gay World twice in a row – that speaks for itself. We want to win it again with the best candidate – of whatever colour.
6. Of the four director’s choices in 2011, three are non-white as they did not make the top 12. That is the main reason we are now taking 15 to the final. MORE expenses, more plane tickets one
more cabin of more than R12 000 on the cruise – we now have to go back to all the clothing sponsors etc et and beg for 3 more suits, 3 more sets of clothing from Bone Wear for the cruise and final (they also do a Bone Wear scene in the final where they dress the guys fully), more pictures, more headaches.
7. There are a handful of guys who all participated in the regionals who have not paid one cent of the entry fee. We allowed them to participate, because participation is more important than money. Coincidentally, they are all non-white. Such grace was not extended to white candidates which is actually very unfair.
Again, we can not force black guys to enter. We are putting in every effort to raise the percentages and have succeeded to get it up from 11% in 2009 to over 30% in 2011.
Our efforts will continue.
MR. GAY SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD.
Hi there
Thank you for your comments. It is very sad to see comments like these especially with all the effort that has been made by Coenie and the MR Gay South Africa board. They have done so much effort and have invited so many black guys to participate I have personally been Judged by Iggi that was a black Judge as well on Sat the 27th. I have seen so many invites and Coenie asking on Facebook to that we need more black gay members to participate .Instead of judging or dividing the Gay community with comments like these lets try and build towards getting more black gay guys involved in the gay community and to be open for this great experience and to help serve and build a great community .
Tx D.
I can personally vouch for the canvassing done my the organizers in non white communities as I was one of the canvassed contestants. Also in Durban the were ONLY non white entrants. The organizers can’t be blamed if these entrants never made the cut. I think its good that unlike in many other cases, standards have not been dropped.
Thanks Fahraaz.
PS And Dbn did well actually as 2 of the 3 from KZN made the cut!
Thanks for setting the record straight Coenie! (Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd)
Tx J.
My money is on James Vivier! He is the hottest of them all!
I realy hate this comments of they need to hit the gym. The rules state healthy body and not sixpack yes some of us were insecure to enter and believe me it takes guts to stand in your underwear infront of people u don’t know. As far as I undertsand this competition is about how u as a gay guy can set an example. If u have a sixpack it can count as an extra. I haven’t got the body this year as I must say I was a lazy ass in the gym. And it was a little too late. But believe me next year I’m on that cruise fighting for what I believe in and that is Gay rights. We sometimes loose perspective and so what if the finalists are mostly white candidates. Do you want the judges and the board to just give u the chance without even entering. And sorry to say this but the African culture to me is so racist as they want things just to be handed to them on silver platter. Or whites have more money so they have to pay. This is shit we are all equal and we all have to work where we want to be. So to all black people judging this as mostly white competition if u stood up and claimed ur right to enter u cud have been a finalist now instead of sitting on ur pc doinf f#*all about it. Peace out! Hansie
hansie,..i might not be african by birth but i do know my ancestry,..yu do not score points with comments like”African culture to me is so racist as they want things just to be handed to them on silver platter. Or whites have more money so they have to pay”….
painting all in one brush,..just like asying all gay men are effeminate! i would never understand the dynamics in this countries both ways,..but comments like that “bridges the dont make”! so while you are getting ready for next year and fighting for the rights,..remeber that there are many that still do not have the freedom, insight and possibility of beign raised beign all they could be ,.black,white,colored
or blue!
Well done Coenie with all the work you and the team have put into this competition!
Keep up the good work!
We know we can always count on your support Juan and Raymond. One day I will get you two to enter as well! *smiley*
Its sad that we still in the concept of perceptions where we still use colour as a basis for saying that mainly white people are finalist but yet “people of colour” are not willing to enter the event, if people of colour was perhaps more willing to part take in this event we probably wouldn’t be having this discussion at the moment… However being one of the non-white participants I to first felt that it was all about race when the results were released but through introspection I have realised that it was more on me that I couldn’t make was not because of the colour of my skin but rather my own ability/inability to transgress what was actually meant to be said…
On behalf of the directors of the event who I have met and spoken to I can say that they are the nicest most sincere people to work with, they do make you feel comfortable and most importantly they do not have prejudice againt the “non-white” gay community…. So before we blame anybody else we should look at ourselves and say why didn’t I enter… As I always say before you can throw stones do some introspection and ask yourself why didn’t I enter or get someone of colour to represent.
Thanks Ikraam
I hold back on commenting on spaces like this just for the mere fact that many people exhibit a very warped sense of reasoning based on “their” circumstances as well as their immediate surroundings,or the fact they are anonymous behind a screen with a keyboard!
I have had several previous communications with the Mr. Gay SA organizers as well as the Mr. Gay world director for Africa in understanding the dynamics of the situation.
I have equally tired and canvassed for contestants from my racial back ground!
Not being South African but black. I shall impart here one thing that the joy of being raised all over Africa (especially predominately or completely black countries), is that when you do not win/achieve your goal, you could not shout racism.
You could only assume that maybe someone had been paid off. Or, reality check you are just not good enough based on the competition at hand!
Trying to get black and colored contestants and participations for many events is like looking for a needle in a hay stack.
I say this even with regards to having been involved with Cape Town pride for 4 yrs.
There is always an excuse, a reason some valid, but most times I wonder, if its not giving up the battle before it has been won.
As a black person/ person of colour we all have a chip on the shoulder. No its not your fault, its not your doing, but a constant influx of imagery and definition of what is good looking from a very early age, even within our own racial communities. Even worse when you are gay!
The thing is how does one control that chip that has been imposed on me and not vice versa?
In 3 years of the event I have seen the numbers increase, and believe you me it would not swell to a disproportionate number any time soon. “It is not who we be!”
I was on the cruise last year and I never saw any racism and we never judged based on race, purely is the person good enough!
When I learnt of sponsors walking out because of 2 finalists of color, i was as shocked and as upset as Connie was; wondering, ummm are we in 2010 or the dark ages.
It would be awesome to for a change front a representative of colour, especially with the world competition being hosted in the continent next year. But do we create or fake a contestant of colour just to prove a point????
Judging this competition is not easy. Talking from experience, the young man that we interview in the regional grows by the time he is getting ready for the cruise after meeting his competition, and blossoms through endless drilling and interviews during the cruise. For some just the Sauv, smart articulated answers during regional, you know they have the it factor!
If I had ten contestants of color alone with that suaveness believe me the line up would look like a box of assorted decadent chocolates ,with a flavor to suit every palette and taste!
Instead of shouting racism can we first ask if we are good enough and gave our all????
As a community that fight for equality, it is sad to say almost the world over I find the community here especially the male members of the LGBTI community to be quite separatist.
I would not call you racist until you say or prove to be so, but i find both sides of the spectrum, sceptical, negative, separatist and downright stereotypical of one another.
If this events are is meant for our community to have a voice, be recognized and accepted here and globally believe its time for all to start reaching beyond the constraints of the history of this country and what it has imbedded in them… !
PS to the comment on hitting the gym, a buffed fake tanned body is not what we look for. If you are naturally like that fine, if that was, what the competition was all about we would have made it a requirement. Besides not everyone is into muscles. Ask me I know!
Thank you Luiz!
Personaly i think the race issue has been exhausted. There is simply limited applications from other races even after extensive marketing of the pageant.
Tx Iggy
This is what we need to overcome. People are quick to victimise when things dont go there way but never pull up the courage as to why. Yet when things are going well we never see even as much as appreciation. Dont just blather your mouth, people get hurt, there are certain times where people need to think before they act. Also if you are going to rage have the courage and the decency to stand up for what you converse.
Tx R
Ek het groot begrip vir die pogings om so veel as moontlik deelnemers van alle rasse te betrek. Ons is immers ‘n heterogene gemeenskap, en mens sou graag h die kompetisie moet verteenwoordigend daarvan wees. Om so ‘n kompetisie te reel, en uiters suksesvol soos die afgelope paar jaar, steek nie in almal nie. Dis miskien nodig gewees om die lug te suiwer, maar nou moet daar op die finals gekonsentreer word. Mens kan net s ver gaan om almal te (probeer) bevredig. Ek hoop in die toekoms sal omstandighede van so ‘n aard wees dat swartes ook meer bereidwillig sal wees om trots deel te neem, sodat daar genoeg deelnemers is sonder om van hulle te sponsor.
I am rather disappointed. The mrgaysa site has a list of finalists’ names, but no pages showing photos and a write-up of the contestants. How are we supposed to even form an opinion of the contestants? Maybe I’m missing something.
Hi B – the 15th finalist has no yet been chosen as the community votes for him at the moment. It would be an unfair advantage to start promoting the finalists if he is not part of it. It will be announced on 6 Sept. which is only a week from now and then all profiles, photos etc will be posted.
Ek dink ons as die LGBTI gemeenskap kan trots wees op die finaliste! Dis ‘n ongelooflike groep ouens wat deur is na die volgende ronte en elkeen staan beslis ‘n regverdige kaans om die finale wenner te wees!Die “judges” het ‘n moeilike taak wat voorle! Ons kan dankbaar wees vir Coenie en sy span wat ongelooflike werk doen en ons is dankbaar vir Francois Nel wat so goeie voorbeel gestel het die afgelope jaar – dis ‘n paar groot skoene om vol te staan en ons wens elke deelnemer alle sterkte toe!!!
I think it is valid to question the racial but this shouldn’t be about race. Instead it should about why there aren’t more entrants from our other race groups. This is not a body beautiful competition but about the winner being a representative of the gay community both in South Africa and in the international arena when we host the Mr Gay World pageant next year.
I believe the Mr Gay South Africa organisers did as much as they could to make the competition as inclusive as possible to all entrants and, as Coenie Kukkuk pointed out, the race demographic this year is much more reprsenting than in previous years.
We, as the gay community, have enough to worry about within the society we live so is it not time to support the community we belong to?
I feel the finalists have a lot to offer and the directors have done their best in canvasing the country for suitable candidates. I look forward to being part of this years pageant and I feel honored and privileged to be part of it. 🙂
tx F
This is to Luiz who answered to my comment. Dude I’m not a racist I was just pointing out that all of us in south africa has the right to be where we wanna be. Yes I know that a lot of countries has laws agains being gay and that to me is wrong as u as a person are alowed to be who u want to be and not what ur country forces u to be. 1 point I have to raise is everytime a white person says something about a black or whatever race it may be they called a racist but in our country if Malema or any black person says bad things about whites then they were oppresed and disadvantaged. That’s is not what’s fair in this country. My best friend is a black girl and I love her as my own sister so me being a racist nah dude u are wrong. Once again good luck to all finalists may the best one win. To the 13 that was selected to be voted for all the luck to u. And lastly thanx toe Coenie for making all this possible. Can’t wait for finals!!
I would appreciate if you read and understood what i stated! i pointed out one statement you made and i said it is painting all in one brush.
And pls note i pointed out i would never understand the dynamics of this country, and belive me at this point i have refused to take sides or be tainted by what some people say about a particular race or people due to the lack of not building bridges to understand where they are each coming from.
The argument used “my best friend is” holds little or no water when we are dealing with what humans think or our core belief systems are,or one is raised or brought up with.
i have never said you where racist,so i do not know where that came from.
the issue here was called upon when a contestant made certain satements that where ludricous.
As on of the many that have been involved in the process i have been objective ,but atimes i wonder if there is really a point to beign so ,on here or in most situations involving race (and i have noticed this in the past 5 yrs i have lived in south Africa).
many countries are not fair,life is not fair,..but painting with one brush,based on ones situation and position as well as ” a best friend” ,..i think that is unfair and rather unwarranted.
Very valid points!
Meaning very valid points on Hansie’s inputs!
The race issue is now being abused. opportunities are there for everyone to grab. MR GAY SOUTH AFRICA is based on ambossodarial qualities and one on one interviews with the judges for the right candidate to be elected. NOT BASED ON RACE. FINISH AND KLAAR
Thanks Tshepo!
As Coenie said, they can only work with the contestants that put themselves forward. If the public want to see more of a mix amongst the contestants, then more gays from other races should enter, they should step up and be brave!! It’s as simple as that!!
People, Mr GSA represent the gay community…not everyone is fit has a six pack and all the rest, not everyone needs it to BE a representative for the gay community, yet still is support the whole Mr GSA. As fior the race thing and all the explanations going on…do you EVER hear Miss, Mrs or Mr SA having to explain why there are not so many contestants, wht there are a fee to partake and all of that?? No, I dont think so…so STOP making non-issues issue and deal with what this competition was made for: GET A GAY AMBASADOR!!!
Shut the fuck up Bitches
We’re all gorgeous and worthy of a pageant.
Loving your work MR GAY South Africa.
To all the contestants, enjoy, have fun, and put your best foot forward. It’s not about winning it’s about participating. xx
Its about Time you get Juan Melvin of Melvin Models on board as a judge.Then we all sure real talent and no pageant fixing will take place.Theres few people in this industry that knows what he does !!!Bitches
Yes George i also did modeling for his agency and he did quiet a few international events including the founder of Miss Death South Africa ,Please bring people on board who knows what they doing , or are you too scared the truth might come out, cause girls i can tell you that , Juan takes this serious , do yourself a favour look up his resume, May be we must contact juan and ask if we can organize a similar pageant to know there is honesty and integrety . I know his agent is contractors in JHB
Man o man and was he a looker in his days as profesional model???where can we find him , maybe google his name?
All posted at the same time? It seems George, Peter & Dirk are one person. Juan Melvin (whoever that is!) apparently.
Yip Juan is still one of the best producers in the entertainment industry and can only add value to this pageant. I once went to one of his international show at the Palace called Rush for an International Company, oh boy was that a spectacular. It also sounds like a good idea to maybe start a similar pageant and know you are working with a professional and the quality of participants will be much higher…….I know there is a website for Juan , http://www.juanmelvin.co.za.
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I love Cassiday Jacobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!