NEWS Jared Smit wins the Durban region of Mr Gay SA 26 July, 2010 The winner Jared Smit - Photo: Eugene Clemens Els DURBAN — The Central Regional Finals of Mr. Gay South Africa was held at Durban View Guest House on 24 July and was hosted by Dave McNaught, local attorney and co-owner of the guesthouse with his partner Llewellyn Anderson. The event was attended by supporters from the LGBTI community in Kwazulu-Natal, including Nonhlanhla Mkhize and Anthony Waldhausen of Pietermaritzburg Gay & Lesbian Network, fellow activists, the reigning Miss Gay KZN and members from the community including Mr. Gay South Africa™ sponsor Trevor Kleinhans from Ballito, the directors of Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Barry Vorster, Hennie Crafford and Coenie Kukkuk, who also acted as MC of the event. Nelson Clemente, singer from Australia, entertained the crowd. The judges were renowned fashion designer and winner of the Best Dressed in Parade and Me. Mardi Gras titles at the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras, Kevin Ellis; Mr. Gay South Africa 2009 finalist Gavin Deale from Ballito and Sxolile Dleko, a local activist from Durban. The contestants competed in an interview section, which counted for 50% of their total, and then in formal wear, jeans and underwear by Official Underwear Sponsor of Mr. Gay South Africa™, Bone Wear. The winner was Jared Smit, 1st runner-up was Prince Mkhize and third runner-up was Conraad Jonas, who also won the Mr. Personality award. The first two, Jared and Prince, both qualified for the finals of Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2010 to be held on 26 November in Johannesburg. The winner won prizes in excess of R20 000, including a R6 000 bursary from Official Learning Partner, College SA, a R4000 diamond pendant from Official Jeweller to Mr. Gay South Africa™, CW Design Jewellers, a weekend away at The Glen Boutique Hotel in Cape Town, a voucher from Bone Wear and main prize, a cruise on the MSN Sinfonia to Mozambique from 15 - 19 November, co-sponsored by Mr. Gay South Africa™ and Alternative Travel. The runner-up, Prince Mkhize from Durban, also won a cruise on the MSN Sinfonia. All three won hampers from Schwarzkopf™, the Official Hair Colour and Styling Partner of Mr. Gay South Africa™ as well as CDs from Sony Music. Coenie Kukkuk, Director of Operations said: "We are delighted with the standard of the competitors. One of the judges remarked afterwards that he was near tears as he could not really distinguish after the interviews as mostly all of the contestants were excellent ambassadors!" The next stop of the Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2010 road show is Cape Town, for the South Regional Final on Saturday, 7 August 8 pm at The Glen Boutique Hotel, and Capetonians are invited to visit the website for all the details or they can mail hennie@mrgaysouthafrica.co.za for bookings as seats are limited. – Issued by Mr. Gay South Africa™ Related stories Mr Gay SA benefit dinner and show – Little Poof