27 April - 2 May: Pink Loerie Festival

The Pink Loerie Festival in Knysna is upon us and the final programme has now been loaded on their website. And it's their 10th Annual event so promises to be even bigger and better than before.

There is a Pink Parade, parties every night, pink soccer tournament, art exhibitions and openings, Mr Mardi Gras and Underwear shows, Miss Mardi Gras, Go-Go dancers and comedy show... and more.

It started as a way to kick-start the slow May (cold) economy in Knysna and hasgrown over the years to be one of the town's, albeit controversial, biggest money spinners.

So hats off to the organisers. It's a huge event. 

Miss Gay SA 2010

Now there's a Miss Gay South Africa 2010 - beauty queens in drag.

The organisers of the beauty pageant promise that while most of you have probably been to a few drag beauty pageants, with this South Africa-wide one, you will be able to see ALL the entrants from the smallest town to the biggest city, and not only a few selected representative from a certain province or club.

The competition is organized to showcase our beautiful drag talent in South Africa, and entrants and sponsors can contact the organisers by e mail to info@gaysa.co.za (Anton Swanepoel).

There is also a Facebook group with the link here.

Hot in South Africa

April is the finest month to be travelling in South Africa. The beach is best in Durban, where the sea temperature is still great.. sunny skies and awesome weather before the winter sets in.

SA's Charl is new Worldwide Mr Gay 2010

Our Mr Gay South Africa, Charl van den Berg, has just been selected as the new Worldwide Mr Gay 2010.

He was crowned on Valentine’s day at a gala ceremony in Oslo, Norway. The competition (previously known as Mr. Gay World) drew delegates from all over the world representing all of the continents.

Australia came second and the rest of the top five were made up of Hong Kong, Spain and China. Both Mr. Photogenic and Mr. Swimwear were won by Russia and Brazil took the Mr. Popularity title.

The competition was streamed live on the Internet to viewers from all over the world. Charl said from Oslo just before the finale started: “The competition is very tough, but I am confident.” That confidence shone through when he had to answer the main question put to the final five: “If you were to speak to an high school about sexuality, what would you tell them?”. Charl answered: “Sexuality is a private matter; regardless of what your sexuality is, we are all the same – we are all human beings.”

The 28-year-old restaurant manager from Cape Town impressed the judges and Morten Ruda, President of Mr. Gay Europe said to the organisers of the Mr. Gay South Africa™ competition: “Congratulations on your victory! He has made a deep impression on all of us here in Oslo! Well deserved. Best wishes for all his future endeavours.”

The first duty of the newly appointed Worldwide Mr. Gay will be to fly to Vancouver, Canada to take part in the festivities of the 2010 Winter Olympics. While in Vancouver and Whistler, Worldwide Mr. Gay will be an ambassador for equality and diversity while taking part in the Pride House – a safe space that brings visibility to LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) people in sport.

Mr Gay South Africa 2009 - Winner

At a glittering affair in Pretoria our Mr Gay South Africa 2009 has been chosen - Charl van den Berg, 28 year-old Cape Town boy. You can connect with Charl on his blog.

Charl says: "It has been an amazing journey and something I know I will always remember. Up to know I have learnt more about myself than I think I ever have. I have realised my potential as a human being to be able to make a difference in my community and have also come to realise that I CAN do anything I put my mind to!"

Congratulations to the winner as well as the runners-up.

Mr Gay South Africa Tonight

Guest at Durban View Guesthouse Hendrik from Windhoek, Namibia, was delighted to be on the Rainbow cruise this week that hosted the finalists of the Mr Gay South Africa Pagent which culminates in a Grand Finale in Pretoria tonight.

In the photo with Hendrik on board the MSC Sinfonia is finalist Chris McGreggor, who hails from Durban and is looking awesome here at the White Party on board the ship resplendant with wings and cock-tail... mmm

Hot in South Africa

It's always warm in South Africa and it's getting hotter with the gorgeous guys now that summer is upon us....

Durban's Moses Mabhida 2010 FIFA World Cup Football Stadium

Our recent guest Friedrich was a whiz with his camera and took these photos of the city from the Guesthouse.

In the top photo is our new 2010 FIFA World Cup Football Stadium which has just been completed. There were sceptics who said the Stadia in the country would never be completed in time, but they were proved wrong. The Durban Stadium, the Moses Mabhida Stadium feature a stunning cable car lift which ca take visitors to the top of the Stadium arch and for those more adverturous there are stairs on the other side to take one up or down as well.

In the middle photo are the night lights of our beachfront hotels, whilst the day photo below shows the CBD of the City from the Guesthouse. Thanks Friedrich for these stunning new pics.

Salvation for South Africa this December

In Durban for the launch of QC2's huge December gay circuit parties coming to Johannesburg (Sat 29 December), Durban (Tues 26 December) and Cape Town (New Year's Eve Thurs 31 December) is promoter Pieter (right) seen with Durban View Gay Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn (second from right) and guests Lindeque (left) and John (second from left).

Salvation are the most famouse gay parties in London and the world with rave reviews from every continent.

So be sure to be there... log on to QC2's website and make sure you get your tickets early. QC2 were the organisers of the recent Fireman's Ball at the Dome in Johannesburg with several thouand Pride after-party enthusiasts.

Vote for Mr Gay South Africa

Now you can vote for KZN entrants in the Mr Gay South Africa Pageant by SMS.

In the photos above are hunky Ballito boy Gavin Deale seen at the Guesthouse recently when he won through to the finals of the Mr Gay South Africa Pageant.

If you want to vote for Gavin, simply sms GSA Gavin Deale to 35215 and your vote will be recorded.

Another hot finalist from Westville is Tyrone Nell (below), seen in this recent shoot.

Tyrone qualified as a finalist for the Mr Gay South Africa Pageant at the Knysna Loerie Festival earlier this year. He was also in attendance at the KZN Finals of the contest at the Guesthouse here last month checking out the competition.

You can vote by SMS for Tyrone by sending a message GSA Tyrone Nell to 35215 and make sure that one of our spunky KZN boys wins the Pageant for our Province.

Good luck guys... and to the readers, please get your sms votes going now. You could win a trip to Tanzania just by voting.

You can view more finalists by clicking on this Facebook link.

Mr Gay South Africa

This Saturday is going to be a hot affair at the Guesthouse with the KwaZulu-Natal regional finals of the Mr Gay South Africa Pageant taking place.

Bookings for accommodation or to see the Pageant may be made on our webpage at BookNow.biz.

The regional finals for the prestigious contest have already taken place in the Eastern Cape, Western and Northern Cape as well as the Free State and the Gauteng regionals take place the week after on the 18th September at Monte Casino.

Here are the hot finalists so far from the regionals that have taken place.

Chris Macgregor, Finalist: Winner Eastern Cape

Leo Jan de Beer, Finalist: Second Runner-up Eastern Cape

Shahin Eskandar, Finalist: Winner Western & Northern CapeKarel Petzer, Finalist: Mr Mardi Gras 2007

Quentin Saunders, Finalist: Mr Mardi Gras 2008

Tyrone Nell, Finalist: Runner-up Eastern Cape

Jan du Toit, Finalist: Winner Free State

Charl van den Berg, Finalist: Runner-up Western & Northern Cape

Book Now for the KZN Regionals this Sat 12 Sept at Durban View Gay Guesthouse and see some hot guys in action on the ramp. It will be a glittering affair.

Grahamstown Festival

It's the Grahamstown National Arts Festival from the 2nd - 11th July and we're going to be there.

I was last in Grahamstown for the festival a few years back and it was awesome... always great for the Shows, the fleamarket.. the best I have seen and the spirit in the town and the parties.

Ignore the beach-bod photo on the post.. it is freezing cold in Grahamstown and we will be leaving the warm beach climate and hot bodz of Durban to drive down south through the Transkei to the Festival... about an 8-hour trip.

So come join us for the fun. Click on the link for more details on their Facebook group.

Hot in SA

March and April are South Africa's best months to travel... hot autumn sun, hot bodz, cool evenings... bring it on!!!

Mr and Miss Gay North-West

The North-West Province of South Africa is coming alive. Gay Umbrella, a non-profit organisation is working among the gay community of the North West Province. Established in 2007, this organisation is working hard towards serving the needs of lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities there.

They will be hosting the first ever Mr & Miss Gay North West Pageant. In the past two years they have tested the waters with the Miss Gay Umbrella and the support was very encouraging. Now the event has been rebranded in line with national trends and so Mr & Miss Gay North West is born.

Categories

There will be three categories in the competition. The first is Mr Gay, where the judges will be looking for the sexiest young man. Miss Gay is for those boys who like to drag, while the Mr Lesbian category is looking for the most handsome lesbian in the province.

Contestants will have to dress in casual wear, swim wear and evening wear.The winners of these three categories will be expected to raise funds for a charity and they will have to work hard during the year to help popularise Gay Umbrella and its activities. They will be entered into other contests and it is hoped that one of them will win a national title. The judges will be made up of a panel consisting of other beauty queens, radio personalities and sponsors.

A special rate on accommodation at a local guest house has been secured and those travelling from afar are welcome to contact the Gay Umbrella office for more details. For the first time ever the focus will also fall on local gay talent as part of the entertainment. Guyz and girlz who can do drag shows, play musical instruments or sing and dance are welcome to come forward to be included in the programme. The organisers are hoping to include this talent search aspect as part of the competition and are currently negotiating prizes with sponsors.

Mr & Miss Gay North West is trying to up its game and several semi-professional and professional artists have already volunteered their services. The popular Ayanda will share MC duties with Brown. The Five Diamonds from Kimberley are making their way to Mafikeng to astound the audience with their show.

The event takes place in the stylish Mmabana Mafikeng Cultural Centre Theatre which can seat around 350 people. Admission is R40 per person and the show is scheduled for 25 April at 19h30. Tickets can be booked by calling the Gay Umbrella Office or they will be available at the door. A bar service will be available and after the pageant the ever popular DJ Smallz will keep the dance floor going until dawn!

Look out for these other events coming up in 2009: Out in Africa Film Festival - 15 & 16 May. Unisa/Gay Umbrella Research Project - June through September. Educational Lekgotla - 17 October. North West Pride - 28 November.

The secretary is Hendrik Baird and he can be reached on cell 083-698-7998. Alternatively contact can be made with the Chairperson, Mildred Maropefela, on cell 073-157-1791. More information will be available on http://gaymaf.blogspot.com/ and e-mails can be sent to hennieb@ananzi.co.za.

OutGames 2009 Copenhagen

Top Sporting event on the 2009 gay calendar is the World OutGames being held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Games takes place 25 July - 2 Aug and you can still enter to compete or join the group of South African supporters going to cheer on our National Team.

There's everything from Aerobics, Badminton & Bridge to Golf, Roller-Racing, Squash, Table Tennis & Wrestling - 38 events in total!

A Facebook Group for the South Africans has been created which you can join to support our girls and guys competing and for more info on the Games you can click on the links to the official Copenhagen Facebook Group or look at their website.

Warm South African Christmas

A romp in the hay anyone? Wising all of our visitors to South Africa an awesome, "hot" festive season and much fun in the hay!!

Christmas Cheer

'Tis the season to be jolly and here in South Africa it will be a warm festive one and a hot New Year as we welcome in 2009.

If you're visiting South Africa, a warm gay welcome to you. There is plenty of action - just head for our warm, sunny beaches, gay clubs and pubs and enjoy the hospitality South Africans are reknowned for. Happy Holidays!!

SA Gay Idol

The organisers are expecting a good turnout in Randburg, Johannesburg, for South Africa's first Gay Idol competition.

The show takes place on the 6th December 2008 in the fabulous ballroom at the Sisulu/Randburg Hall with great looking men and women with great voices on stage. It will also be the best party in South Africa ever, the organisers confidently predict, with a huge dance floor and to the tunes of one of SA's top DJs, Des Gouws 'DJ Chopa'!

Tickets may be obtained at Strictly Tickets 087 940 1937/073 725 7381.

A Facebook event for the function has also been created and you can click on this link to find out more information.

Networking in South Africa

It's been an exciting time for networking in South Africa the past week - a new Gay Directory South Africa was established on Facebook... a new way to network and cross-link websites, blogs and Facebook groups nationwide.

If you click on the link a whole new dimension opens up and lets people across the world find gay groups, businesses and websites quickly. If you are reading this story, please spread the word and become a regular reader of this blog and the linked Facebook groups. Collectively we'll keep you up to speed on Gay happenings in South Africa. Dave

Spring Gay in SA

So how many of you would you like to spend Spring Day in the company of these Guys....?

1 September is Spring Day in South Africa and summer is just around the corner so why not book your trip to beautiful Durban.... home of sunny beaches, warm ocean and gorgeous surfer boys... Book now and enjoy our hospitality at Durbanview Gay Guest House.

New SA Gay website - GayShare

Cape Town's Andy Wicks has just launched his new website aimed at the gay market. GayShare is an excellent site themed to Work, Live and Play gay in South Africa. It's an opportunity for gay business owners and event organisers to market themselves to the exclusively gay community in South Africa online. Well done Andy and your team for an excellent new addition to our community internet and business needs.

New gay resort

It is great to find new exclusively gay guesthouses, lodges or retreats in South Africa. Here is a new one just opened in Warmbaths, about 80kms north of Pretoria.

Manfields is appropriately named and promises to liven up the list of available gay resorts in this country. Here is what owners Andre and Jaco have to say about their resort: "Wake up to most amazing sunrises and fill your lungs with the fresh, crisp and crystal clear bushveld air to get you going. Go for strolls in the lovely bushveld, relax in the lounge at the bar and make friends in the splash-pools. Watch the sunset from a splash pool with a cocktail in your hand or share your greatest stories around a crackling bonfire or just allow the flames to carry you into dreamland." Check out their website by clicking on the link in this story and maybe we'll see you there!!

Desert Safari anyone?

The famed Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa just got hotter with this addition to the sand scenery...

Mr and Miss Gay SA 31 May

Pretoria is the venue this month end for the Mr and Miss Gay South Africa International finals. Here is Werner Strydom from Pretoria one of the finalists. Before and after the show and pageant you will be able to join the crowd on the dance floor to the cool sounds of one of South Africa's top DJs Hennie Blom and party until sunrise.

There will also be a special appearance by Mr Gay South Africa 2007, Mr Community, Mr Cool Smile, Mr Jeans, Mr Personality, Mr Speedo, Couple of the Year and Drag Queen of the year.

The extravaganza will be held at the Portuguese Hall and tickets may be booked through StrictlyTickets.com or TicketBitch.co.za.

Gay Travel and Accommodation

Zoom Vacations - Your Gay South Africa vacation awaits you. And, instead of another Thanksgiving holiday filled with the same Turkey and Stuffing as last year, why not treat yourself to the South Africa vacation of a lifetime!

Gay Info.co.za - is poised to become one of South Africa's most comprehensive Gay Guide for the local and international Traveller.

FREE listing for South African gay businesses.

Out In Africa - dream holidays for singles, partners or groups of friends choose your own flights your own dates your own route your own pace.

Gay Mart - Gay-MART specializes in travel information and internet shopping of interest to Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites, Transsexuals and Intergendered Persons and their friends and allies around the globe.

Safari now - Gay destinations South Africa. A useful booking and holiday accommodation guide.

Gay Durban - Accommodation, travel and gay tourism guide for the sunny east coast of South Africa port city of Durban. Party Gay, Stay Gay and Travel Gay. Book Now ONLINE.