NEW MR GAY SA OFFICIALLY WELCOMED

Following the recent surprise resignation of Jason Rogers, runner up Steve Williams was officially welcomed as Mr Gay South Africa (Mr GSA) last weekend.

Rogers, who won the title in December last year, announced that work and study commitments were preventing him from giving the position the attention it derived.

Williams, who came closely behind Rogers at the Grand Finale, agreed to step in to take over the title and represent South Africa at the upcoming Mr Gay World contest in Antwerp, Belgium.

Last Friday night, a small ceremony was held at Beefcakes restaurant in Johannesburg to formally introduce Williams as the country’s new representative. He was also presented with his Mr GSA sash as the crowd cheered and clapped.

The Mr GSA organisers thanked Beefcakes and owner Grant Eglin for “their ongoing support of Mr GSA and for hosting us and making this a special evening for Steve”.

With just six weeks to go before the team head off to Antwerp for the international competition, Williams is hard at work preparing to compete against representatives from more than 24 countries.

Two previous Mr GSA titleholders have won the Mr Gay World competition, namely Charl van den Berg in Oslo, Norway in 2010 and Francois Nel in Manila, Philippines in 2011. Mr GSA 2011, Lance Weyer, was first runner-up when Mr Gay World was hosted in Johannesburg in April 2012.

Public voting for the 2013 Mr Gay World contestants has already opened online and the public can place their vote for Williams by visiting www.guyspy.com/peoples-choice. Voters could win $200 and Williams could win $500 for a charity of his choice.