NEW MR. GAY SOUTH AFRICA DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED

Following the resignation of three of its directors, Mr. Gay South Africa™ (Mr. GSA) has revealed the names of two new directors who will helm the popular annual event.

Last year, it was announced that Coenie Kukkuk, John-Louis O’Neil and Karin Sephton would resign from the organisation.

On Friday, Mr. GSA said that its new directors are married couple Emil Faber and Ricus Wessels.

Faber is an attorney and owner of the popular Melon restaurant in Melville, Johannesburg. He was also a judge for and sponsor of Mr. GSA in 2012.

“They have been ardent supporters of Mr. GSA through the years, not only as sponsors, but also as generous donors and supporters, having also been on the 2011 breakaway on the cruise to Mozambique,” said Kukkuk in a press release.

Faber and Wessels, who will collectively take over the portfolio of Director: Operations, will join remaining director Frank Malaba – an actor, producer and activist – to take the Mr. GSA competition forward.

The couple said: “We wish to thank Coenie, John-Louis and Karin for their devotion and work through the years. We have acquired the services of Charl van den Berg, the first of the registered Mr. GSA title holders and Mr. Gay World 2010, and hope that we can maintain the high standard set by Coenie, John-Louis, Karin and their team.

“We are very excited and eager to take on the challenge and to make our community proud of the representative chosen.”
 
Kukkuk, who is a practicing attorney, said he was sad to be leaving the organisation but explained that “circumstances and demands by my practice have however dictated the terms. I would have had to neglect one or the other and that is not an option.”

O’Neil said that he was leaving so that he could “devote most of my time to the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival, and with the ‘Lucky 13th’ one coming up in the beginning of May, I can assure you that it will be a festival to remember.”

Kukkuk and O’Neil have also cited health reasons, with both being due for surgery in the next month.

Kukkuk will continue in his position of Director: Africa & Middle East for Mr. Gay World until at least after Mr. Gay World 2013, which will be held in Antwerp, Belgium from 1 to 5 August.

Since its founding in 2009, the four Mr. Gay South Africa competitions have been extremely successful in the global Mr. Gay World event. South Africa has taken the international title twice and last year came second.

This year, South Africa will be represented in Antwerp by the current Mr. Gay South Africa, Jason Rogers.