AFROLECTIONS
CASTING A MODEL MALE
IN THE MOULD OF MISTER SOUTH AFRICA
By Ifedayo oshin
In South Africa , ‘ there are so many female role models in the industry for females to look up to and there are not a lot of men in the public eye that people can look up to ’. Those are the words of Johannes , the organiser of Mister South Africa 2017 pageant at the grand finale of the event inside the venue which Barry John ( co-organiser ) called ’ very unique , outlandish and very masculine venue ’ - the Rand Airport ’ s open hangar wing . The pageant had over 40 contestants from which 10 finalists emerged . According to the organiser , Mister South Africa is meant to be ‘ someone that community can look up to and see as an inspiration ; somebody that is not scared to get his hands dirty , helping the community raising funds for charity like CANSA- Cancer South Africa ’. Indeed as the theme suggested , the pageant was not a contest of the brawn of macho men , but a call to duty , to social action for model male ; male that can be put on the platform to serve as model to other men . It can therefore be said that all the finalists are winners in their own right as they had to engage in different social projects from awareness campaigns about the plight of animal , to charity for orphans as well as raising funds to support the brand ’ s cancer awareness programs among men . However , the top model male that got the crown was the dashing and humble 26-year old , Habib Noorbhai from Cape Town . Habib who said he was humbled by the experience , believed that every one of his co-contestants deserves the title . “ I just want to thank them for their brotherhood . I didn ’ t see them as competitors ; I saw them as brothers ”, Habib revealed . The new Mister South Africa explained that wearing the crown is not only about “ maintaining what we have done , but it is about using the brand to leverage on what we ’ ve been doing . And particularly our other projects ; these range from health , education , sports , innovation , sustainability , youth development , entrepreneurship and a variety of cancer awareness initiatives . It is quite a bit but of focus on it one at time , to see we can achieve ”, the model male said . Waxing philosophically , the Biokineticist noted that “ we work to make a living . But we make a different to make a life . Each one of us needs to make a difference together . And I think this speaks to a sense of not being selfish , but to be selfless and work together to make our country great . The crowned model male believed that poverty is a crisis that is fundamentally caused by the mind set and it is only by dealing with individuals ’ mind-set that poverty can be alleviated . “ Poverty is a real crisis in South Africa . What actually causes poverty is the mind set . So if we can take care of the mind set , I think we can alleviate poverty . Once we alleviate poverty , South Africa will be great ”, Habib proffered . Mr . South Africa also advised the youth to stay away from distractions . As to what to expect in the next edition of the annual event , Barry said ; “ we are hoping to take Mr . SA into new arenas . Make it bigger and more well-known ”. Mister South Africa foundation is a partner with Cancer South Africa , the organization whose works include raising funds and creating awareness about cancer among South African men .
AFROLECTIONS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2017 9