MY DESERT EXPERIENCE!

So firstly, i would like to apologise for being so slack on updating you all with what's been happening in 'Mr Gay Land'. I'ts been a hectic few weeks for me with major changes taking place in my life and some big choices being made. One of them of course being the resignation from my current job as manager at Cafe Manhattan Sea Point. It feels like an end of a journey for me. After three years i will be saying goodbey to the place that has played such a crucial role in me being where i am today. I would like to thank Russell and the entire RSG group for giving me the opportunity to grow and learn from you all.
The OTHER BIG step im taking is to move to Johannesburg along with Patrick, the man that has managed to grab a hold of my heart and keep it close to his. I'ts a challenge, with both of us having to deal with the fact that we have to start a life in Jozi and make a new beginning, yet it all seems ok when i realise that he is there next to me! I love Patrick, and i look forward to the new journey you and i will share!

Ok, ok, ok, so enough with the cheezzzz!!!! :)

I have just walked out of a lovely pampering session at the spa here at the Pelican Bay Hotel after an awesome day of Seal watching and oyster eating and Champaign drinking in Walvis Bay Namibia!

You might ask what the heck am i doing on this side of the world! I mean, isn't it just desert and mining and pretty much um....nothing? Well, you could see it that way, and honestly initially, so did I, but after the day I had today, I can tell you that you can watch this space because a major change is happening in Africa, and yes, it's started in Namibia!
About a month or so ago a gentleman by the name of Chris de Villiers invited me to attend the launch of their LGBTI network to be held in Walvis Bay. I agreed, and yesterday I hoppen on a flight to Namibia!

Upon arrival i had to laugh because yes, there was desert, and mining and, um...pretty much nothing, but it was the heart of the people, the sincerity and their genuine eagerness to bring about change that got my head into a flat spin and once again stirred me up. I realised that this was a community, as small as it may be, that were up for the challenge of fighting for equality for the LGBTI. From the moment i set foot on land i was welcomed like a king and shown hospitality that truly outshines most. Needless to say, it left me humbled and i want to thank all the people who were involved in getiing me to Namibia and making my stay possible! thank you to all the sponsors and organisers. Your efforts are truly noted!

I want to thank Chris and his incredible team of organisers for putting together an event that truly made an impact and brought union among its members and stirred up PRIDE! You can be proud of what you guys have acheived in four months, from 4 to 53 members!! That is incredible and i can only imagine that flame spreading into other countries as they see the change that has come about in Namibia! This is what i mean when i say "CHANGING THE WORLD ONE HEART, ONE COUNTRY ONE CONTINENT AT A TIME"!
I look forward to working with you guys in the very near future and know that you guys can count on me to be there for you! We need more of you in this world! :)

However, it is now Saturday afternoon and i am here for one more day. Tonight is the after party and tomorrow we go quad-biking in the desert!!! heeehaaaw!So lets pray i don't break my neck! lol

stay tuned for pictured. i will post them both on my facebook page and here as soon as i get back home!

Next up in line is the PINK LOERIES and the first of our Mr Gay South Africa Regional Finals!!! I will be there from Friday the 29th till Sunday 2nd May so see you all there!!!

Much love to you all, and to my new found Namibian Family! I will see you REAL SOON!

xCx

Kwela Interview - Mr Gay World

UNO....DOS.....TRES......IM GAY!

Ok ok, i know what you're all thinking......i was as shocked when i heard! My favourite hip-swinging Latino....GAY!

I'm sure i speak for all you salsa lovers when i say...WE ALL KNEW! The only ones shocked i think are the (then) teeny-boppers who would give a SHRIEK at the slightest wink from the heart throb (lol). Oh well, the world has gained a GAY........and about a million FAG-HAGS! lol

But on a serious note, Ricky, i salute you! I'ts not easy coming out in an industry where being gay is still very much looked DOWN upon. Well done for being loud and proud! (I wonder who's next..... Brad....if you're there....please stand UP)

Adios Amigo

INUKSHUK

I have been back from Canada for over a week now and it is usually during this time where I look through the photos that I took and recap, as it always feels so surreal while I am travelling. It has been a whirlwind month for me as Mr. Gay World 2010 and I can already feel this is going to be a year I will NEVER forget! It feels monumental and something I will look back upon and think WOW!

The 10 days I spent in Whistler was not a holiday but a serious mind opener in so many ways. I was able to take to mind the fact that I had won a World Title - just an ordinary person born in Bloemfontein, South Africa and now Mr. Gay World 2010. I have met so many people along my travels in Canada and made some good friends. This has made me realise that the way I see the world was about to change and expand more than I ever imagined.

Whistler is beautiful, a quaint town of about 10,000 people where everybody seems to know everyone. The locals soon made me feel like part of the ‘family’ and at our first ‘Après Ski’ that the friendships were solidified. During the Winter Olympics each country had a ‘House’, a kind of safe haven, where people could go to get a touch of familiarity and socialise. It was appropriate that the LGBT community established a ‘House’, which would lead into Winter Pride. The Pride House hosted various activities during the week such as Wine tasting, Oscar night and Education on various topics pertaining to the Global LGBT Village. The House, run by Dean Nelson, his partner and an incredible team of volunteers they offered a ‘home away from home’, and I found myself hanging out there regularly.

I was fortunate enough to have a set agenda of activities and flexible schedule, which enabled me to take part in events such at Dogsledding, Zip-trekking through one of the oldest rain forests of Whistler and the Blackcombe Mountains. A particular highlight was taking one of the longest Gondola rides up the Mountain, approximately 20-minutes, to try out some snowboarding! I would love to say that I succeeded, but well let us leave it at that! Winter Pride ended off with an incredible evening on top of the Mountain at The Roundhouse, where we had World Class entertainment and food. My final days were spent sight seeing and I was able to witness the Paralympic Flame as it made its way through the Town en route to Vancouver. Once again, I had a sensory overload and if I had to relay everything about my trip, I would sit here writing in detail everything possible to explain to you, but one thing I take with me is the diversity of our global village! The village I represent in all its glorious diversity!

I would like to thank every person who made this trip possible! Eric Butter, Tore Aasheim and Dean Nelson and the rest of the Mr. Gay World team - you people are amazing! Carlos Melia, thanks for sorting out all the travel arrangements. Then to Gavin B, my Manager, for holding the fort, thanks so much, you are a star!

I leave you with the message of INUKSHUK- May it be you guide for a safe journey through life’s travels and let it always lead you HOME!

Till later

Charl 

JUST A QUICK WHISTLE!

Hey ya'll!

A friendly greeting here from Whistler, Canada!

It's a beautiful day here with Winter Pride kicking and going strong on its 3rd day!
I have so far had a good time here with the friendly locals, and the town filling up once again for what promises to be a good weekend! I must admit, I am yet to get on a Gondola and head up the mountain for some snowboarding (yes, I do prefer it to skiing - just looks cooler), so I'm sure that within the next two days I'll be heading up there!

Other than that I have had some good thinking time too and this has given me a great opportunity to get my 'ducks in a row' so to speak and work on what I have planned for this year. All i can say for now is that it is gonna be BIG, of GLOBAL proportions, so hold on, its going to be a GOOD year! A year, once again of PROBABILITIES!

I will try and post some pictures as soon as im able to, so please bear with me!

Hope you all are good! I'll see you S-Africans real soon again!

Love you all
Charl

Another Week of Excitement

Hi All,

This past week has once again made me realise the extent of my responsibilities and work involved as the worldwide spokesperson for the LBGT community. I have tried to live my life as normal as possible, but my title has shown me that things are not always as they appear. There is an element of normality, unknown and the expanse that is the rest of the world. The gravity of the unknown and the world is making me realise that you need an experienced and committed team to help you deal with your professional and personal life on a global scale.

My team and I have been working on various issues, but this requires serious multi-tasking, to make everything happen concurrently. As a result, I have completed a full-length interview, nearly 20-minutes long, with a production crew for a national TV show. I had to fly into Johannesburg late on Thursday evening, to secure my Canadian Visa, and as part of my International travel itinerary. However, upon my arrival at 22H30, I had to do an interview for a Canadian Breakfast show, which showed me that somewhere in the world someone is awake and doing business.

I thought that my weekend would be restful leading up to my departure, but Saturday started at 07H30 to get ready for my first Social Event, where International Performers, Business People and VIP guests had confirmed their attendance. The guest list was overwhelming and a true baptism of fire to the world of hosting a function for influential people – business and social. Nevertheless, the event was a great success with The Twelve Tenors spending most of the day with my team and me. We (my Business Manager and me) had individuals like Jennifer Su (Radio & TV Personality), Edith Venter (PR Guru & Socialite) and her husband Johnny, Isla Galloway (Chairperson of Dauphin), Anne Power (Legendary Performer), Wilco Stemmett (Businessman), Liane Luriel (Prima Ballerina from SA Ballet) and Bennie Louw (Businessman) in attendance.

The event and atmosphere was so relaxed that it became an informal affair, where everyone kick-backed and appreciated the venue, company and comfortable surrounds. Formalities were quickly forgotten and we began to have fun making a cream mustache competition with our "new" friends from abroad – this showed me that no matter who are, a local celebrity or international performer, we are all just people that want to have fun and be ourselves. All societal expectations, pretences and norms get ignored – we are all just people being people having some fun.

After a hectic morning and start to the weekend, there was barely time for me to get ready for the airport before the flight to Canada. Anyway, I am now finally on my way to Vancouver, and will update you when you when I get back to SA. However, I must thank the following people, companies, for my time in Johannesburg and assisting with the event.

• Le Carnard Restaurant - official restaurant, host and venue in Johannesburg
• Serwala – Chauffeur's to The Twelve Tenors for our function
• Bone Wear – Wilco and co. for designing the Swagbag of swimwear and underwear for the Twelve Tenors and our guests
• The Cupcake Boutique (Colleen) – Designing our cupcakes for the function
• Tania Miles – Personalised flower arrangements and gifts
• Bennie Louw – Venue and Catering
• Gavin Borrageiro – Guest list, PR (incl. The Twelve Tenors) and Expense Management
• Travel with Flair – Canadian Visa assistance and submission

  I look forward to updating and chatting to you when I get back from Canada.

Cheers for now

Charl

Life since winning the World Title

Wow! What an amazing experience and first two weeks. I want to thank you all personally for supporting me in my endeavours and goal of representing South Africa on a global stage. My fellow competitors were amazing and taught me a significant amount in diversity, cultural adversity and the challenges the LBGT community faces. This has clearly set the goals and objectives for my reign as their global spokesman and new Ambassador.

My first few days back home has made me realise the extent of the tasks that lay ahead, and it has been a whirlwind of events and interviews. However, the most humbling aspect has been the support I have received from all the communities within South Africa, and has made me proud to be a part of the Rainbow Nation that Mr. Mandela envisaged nearly four decades ago. I am proudly South African and embrace the diversity, potential and prospects the country offers on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Since, returning from my first trip abroad, I need to acknowledge the work and effort the local committee from Mr. Gay SA played in making the event possible and my representation in Oslo possible. Also, the sponsors and supporters of the event have made it comparable to other (major) local pageants.

As a result, my new independent advisors and publicists have enabled me to transition onto the global arena in a seamless manner, which has allowed me to maintain a sense of normality for the moment. Finally, a big thank you to the South African public, Mr. Gay SA, Mr. Gay World, Bone Wear, Collett Dawson and Gavin Borrageiro for everything you have done to help me since my return to SA.

Cheers for now
Charl