Heartthrobs from all over the world have began descending into Cape Town to duke it out for the title of Mr Gay World.
The finale is set to take place on October 15, at the iconic Artscape Opera House in the heart of the Mother City.
This will be the first time the event is held in person over the last three years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
And Cape Town, dubbed the “Pink Capital of Africa”, will play host to 13 contestants who will spend the week leading up to the finale competing in a series of events.
“The 13 delegates and their supporters hail from diverse countries and territories located in Europe, North and South America, the Caribbean, and South-East Asia,” said the spokesperson of the event Ziyanda Yono.
“The delegates will have the opportunity to interact with one another and share and learn from their life experiences and the struggles and successes unique to the LGBTQIA+ communities in their respective countries.
“They will compete in a week-long series of physical and mental contests in the coming days, all leading up to the crowning ceremony at the glittering Mr Gay World™ Grand Finale,” Yono said.
Yono said despite being competitors, the delegates all shared a desire to be given the platform to become a role model and ambassador for the global LGBTQIA+ community and to make a difference through their chosen community projects.
Johannesburg-born Shanon Kannigan will represent South Africa at the competition.
Kannigan was named the new Mr Gay World South Africa at this year’s Pink Loerie Mardi Grass Arts Festival in Knysna after the winner and the 1st runner up recused themselves from the title.
The African continent will also be represented by another contestant from Namibia.
The City’s mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos said the hosting of events similar to this gave businesses in the metro a major boost. Vos said the events sector opens Cape Town up to more visitors and an increase in flights.
“It also creates awareness for LGBTQ issues in South Africa and beyond. Cape Town is a globally recognised gay-friendly city, and the pink capital of Africa.
“As the City government, we actively promote and host events to get the economic spin-off for Cape Town, because nothing beats face-to-face exposure, benefiting business throughout the ecosystem in hospitality and tourism, because they are the providers of goods and services,” he said.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said he was excited about the fact that the event will be hosted in Cape Town.
“It is a celebration of diversity, and is a shared experience that illuminates Cape Town as a destination,” he said.
Stand a chance to win one of 10 double tickets
To enter:
SMS: WAARTSCAPE, your name, email address and location to 33258.
The competition opens Sunday and closes on Tuesday, October 11 at 9am.
Winners will be notified via email.
SMS's costs R1.50.
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