Mr Gay South Africa is a registered and trademarked competition founded in 2009 to present a professional competition for gay men in South Africa – a role model and a representative of which the entire LGBTI community can be proud of. Both the 2009 and 2010 winners, Charl van den Berg and Francois Nel, went on to win the Mr. Gay World title; Charl in Oslo, Norway and Francois in Manila, Philippines. The 2011 Mr Gay South Africa, Lance Weyer, was first runner-up when Mr Gay World was hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg in April 2012. Mr Gay South Africa 2012 was chosen at a glittering Grand Finale in Pretoria on Saturday 8 December 2012 at the brand new, state-of-the-art Atterbury Theatre at Lynnwood Bridge and would have represented South Africa at Mr Gay World 2013, in August 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium. He is 23-year-old Jason Rogers from Pretoria. Rogers has since resigned, citing work and study commitments preventing him from giving his full commitment to the title. The first runner-up, Steve Williams, took over the 2012 title since June 2013 and represented South Africa at Mr Gay World 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium. The 2013 title holder is Werner de Waal, representing South Africa at Mr. Gay World 2014 in Rome, Italy. The competition is defined by the organisation as the search for the ultimate gay male in South Africa. Mr Gay South Africa is a heavily promoted role in the country and the title holder takes his job of educating, informing and campaigning to the public at large seriously. The winner represents South Africa at the annual Mr Gay World competition.
History
Mr Gay South Africa was established in 2009. Its first and second years' winners, Charl van den Berg and Francois Nel, both proceeded to win the Mr Gay World competition; Charl in Oslo, Norway in February 2010 and Francois in Manila, Philippines in March 2011. On 26 November 2011, Mr Gay South Africa 2011, Lance Weyer was crowned winning prizes valued at over R300 000. The first runner-up was aleXander Steyn and the second runner-up was Casper Bosman. Lance Weyer is an elected public representative, this fact causing the mainstream press in South Africa to widely report on his win. Mr Gay South Africa won the right to host Mr Gay World 2012, which was held over four days in Johannesburg from 4 to 8 April 2012, with the Grand Finale attended by more than 1000 people on 8 April 2012. Mr Gay South Africa 2011 titles won were: The top 5 Mr GSA 2011: In order from winner: Lance Weyer; aleXander Steyn; Casper Bosman; James-John Vivier and Leon Erasmus. Mr GF Men’s Wear Model of the Year: Casper Bosman Mr MichaelGamePlan 2011: aleXander Steyn Best Charity Work: Lance Weyer Best YouTube Video: aleXander Steyn Best Ticket Sales: Rudy Cupido Bone Wear Model of the Year: Lance Weyer Mr Personality 2011: Franco Human Popular Vote by SMS: 1. Lance Weyer 2. Casper Bosman 3. Leon Erasmus 4. aleXander Steyn 5. Rudy Cupido THE 2012 WINNERS: MR GAY SOUTH AFRICA 2012/13 IS STEVE WILLIAMS FROM JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG. The first runner-up and Deputy to Mr Gay South Africa 2012/13, was initially Steve Williams from Johannesburg who has taken over the title in June 2013 after the initial winner, Jason Rogers from Pretoria, resigned citing work and study commitments. The second runner-up was Brian Clough from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga – the first from that province to make top three. Third runner-up was Martiens de Jager Fourth runner-up was Jodian van Aarde. Bone Wear Model of the Year – winning a year’s supply of Bone Wear was Jason Rogers. Winner Best Ticket & Ad Sales – winning a Nomndeni Celukhule Lodge package, was Steve Williams. Title of Mr MichealGamePlan going to the Best Sportsman of 2012, winning a MichealGamePlan hamper, was Brian Clough. Winner of the Popularity Award, i.e. SMS votes: Steve Williams – winning a Nomndeni Celukhule Lodge package. Best Charity Work – winner wins the title of Mr College SA and a study grant of R15,000 from College SA: Jason Rogers. Best Written Exam – also winning a Nomndeni package, was Steve Williams. Also winning a Nomndeni Celukhule Lodge, Nelspruit package worth R6100 is Mr Personality Jodian van Aarde. Best Video: Schalk van der Merwe & Best blog: Aaron Blandin de Chalain, – both winning a Nomndeni Celukhule Lodge package.
