Eight Finalists, Eight Stories: Disability, Art, and Pride in South Africa's Gay Nation Ra
Eight gay men from across South Africa compete for visibility, inclusion and community leadership.
EIGHT MEN STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT FOR MR GAY NATION SA 2026
Giovanni Lenyora has used a wheelchair for five years. He graduated from film school, designs clothing, runs a YouTube channel about life as a gay person with a disability, and now stands among the eight finalists competing for the 2026 Mr Gay Nation SA title. His story is one of eight, each distinct, each carrying weight.
The Mr Gay Nation SA pageant opens its stage each year to gay men across South Africa who want to be seen, heard and proud. Its mission centres on celebrating diversity, inclusivity and talent within the LGBTQIA+ community, offering contestants space for self-expression, creativity and leadership while encouraging advocacy for equality and positive change. The phrase “Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Proud” captures what draws many of these finalists to compete.
Sibusiso Dube, 31, works as a Claims Administrator in Randburg. Outside office hours, he runs education drives, supports disability programmes and contributes to old age homes. He is also a dancer, choreographer, poet and vocalist who uses performance to address HIV/AIDS, poverty and human rights. Free dance classes for local youth are part of his regular commitment. He entered the pageant to transform his personal journey into something that could offer healing and purpose to others.
Shaun Smit, 30, manages teams and water chemistry operations as a Pool Service Supervisor in Nigel. He holds a qualification in Film, Television and Video Production and has participated in cancer awareness and charity initiatives. His coming-out journey was difficult, shaped by bullying, and that experience now drives his commitment to supporting people who feel unseen or misunderstood. He hopes the pageant gives him a platform to encourage others to live openly, without fear of judgement.
Giovanni, representing Kimberley, works as a sales consultant for a major South African clothing brand while building his YouTube presence and developing his eye as a clothing designer, with ambitions to open his own boutique. Through Mr Gay Nation SA, he aims to push visibility and inclusion for marginalised communities further into the mainstream conversation.
The finalists span a wide range of ages and professional worlds. André Jonkers, 40, from Kuilsriver in the Western Cape, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, works in insurance, and has qualified as a professional makeup artist. He has contributed to community initiatives including the Lizl Hair Whizz matric project. Arì Nieuwoudt, 31, is a Gauteng-based entrepreneur running a grooming parlour and an online aquarium store while working in modelling and entertainment. Crowned Artistic Face of Africa in 2014, he advocates for mental health awareness among men, animal welfare and youth development.
Frik de Witt, 41, grew up on a farm in the Free State before moving to the city at age 10. He built a career from a sales background, without a university degree, and now works as a Project Manager and part-time Mind and Body Practitioner. He paints, bakes, gardens, and has maintained his own sourdough starter for more than three years (a detail that says something about patience and consistency). He has volunteered with the SPCA and participated in initiatives supporting elderly communities. A friend encouraged him to enter. He is particularly passionate about inclusion and creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed.
Jaunnés Bergh brings a sharply different professional background. A member of the South African National Defence Force with more than 17 years of service, he balances military life with community upliftment work and animal welfare. He names authenticity, compassion and service as the values that define him.
What connects these eight men is not profession, province or age. It is a shared conviction that visibility matters, that being openly and unapologetically present can shift something for the people watching.
The competition culminates at the Mr Gay Nation SA Grand Finale on 27 September 2026 at the Barnyard in Menlyn. The evening will feature live entertainment, fashion presentations, performances and surprises before the crowning of the 2026 champion. Tickets are available through Howler. More information about the finalists and the pageant can be found at https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/08/21/meet-the-mr-gay-nation-sa-finalists/
The question the finale will answer is simple enough: which of these eight men will carry the title forward, and what will he do with it?
Q&A
Who is Giovanni Lenyora and what makes his candidacy significant?
Giovanni Lenyora has used a wheelchair for five years, graduated from film school, designs clothing and runs a YouTube channel about life as a gay person with a disability. He represents Kimberley and aims to push visibility and inclusion for marginalised communities into mainstream conversation.
What community work do the finalists undertake outside the pageant?
Sibusiso Dube runs education drives, supports disability programmes and offers free dance classes for local youth. Shaun Smit participates in cancer awareness and charity initiatives. Frik de Witt has volunteered with the SPCA and elderly communities. Jaunnés Bergh balances military service with community upliftment and animal welfare work.
What is the stated mission of the Mr Gay Nation SA pageant?
The pageant's mission centres on celebrating diversity, inclusivity and talent within the LGBTQIA+ community, offering contestants space for self-expression, creativity and leadership while encouraging advocacy for equality and positive change.
When and where will the 2026 Mr Gay Nation SA Grand Finale take place?
The competition culminates at the Mr Gay Nation SA Grand Finale on 27 September 2026 at the Barnyard in Menlyn. The evening will feature live entertainment, fashion presentations, performances and surprises before the crowning of the 2026 champion.