CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2012

 PUBLIC:

PUBLIC ENTRANCE IS ALLOWED AT ALL EVENING EVENTS FROM THURSDAY 5 APR., & DAYTIME: THE VISITS TO MAROPENG, LESEDI AND APARTHEID MUSEUM AS WELL AS THE SPORTS CHALLENGE ON FRIDAY MORNING. THE PUBLIC CAN SPEND EASTER 2012 WITH MR GAY WORLD.

PRESS:

PLEASE NOTE PRESS CONFERENCE WED 4 APR AT 12H45 AT THE FAIRWAY – SEE www.thefairway.co.za . Accreditation for Grand Finale – write to coeniek@mrgsa.co.za with ‘press accreditation’ in the header.

DELEGATES AND JUDGES:

Full programme below. NO late showing up please. Breakfast complimentary every day at 8 am unless otherwise indicated – included for all in comp stays in villas: delegates, judges, one producer per country plus guest. Lights out each evening at midnight J. (The most important times to show up have been highlighted).

PROGRAMME:

Tue 3 Apr:

8 am: Some delegates, producers, judges and visitors start arriving at OR Tambo International, Johannesburg. Transport to The Fairway Hotel by MGW – look out for Mr GW desk upon arrivals in arrival hall.

Book into hotel for duration of stay (see www.thefairway.co.za) . (Free time)

7.30 pm Dinner: (own, not supplied). (Free time)

Wed 4 Apr: OFFICIAL PROGRAMME STARTS:

Day:

8 am – 9 am: Breakfast

9 am: Free time.

12h00: Latest arrivals in SA before 12 noon, pick up last delegates at airport as they arrive, drop off of luggage at Fairway Hotel.

Judges & delegates: Keep overnight bag for trip to Askari Lodge (jacket, set of summer clothes & sandals/flip flops & toiletries including sunblock and sunglasses).

 12 – 12.45 pm:  Lunch: (own).

12. 45 pm – PRESS CONFERENCE 

 2 pm: ONLY delegates, judges and directors: Transport to Askari Lodge (2 hr drive) See http://www.askarilodge.co.za/  (overnight bag only).

4.30 pm: Game Drive by game rangers in safari vehicles. Environmental Challenge – tested on new knowledge gained from rangers as well as LGBTI general knowledge & history after dinner (written).
Night:

6 pm: Meet & greet and orientation of events, room allocations etc. Judging, rules and Grand Finale explained.

7.30 pm: Traditional Dinner (Mr GSA sponsored and supplied). ‘Boma’ social.

 9 pm: Fitting of formal wear in batches of 3. Rest – free time.

Thu 5 Apr:

Day:

Askari Lodge:

8 am – 9 am: Breakfast  (Visitors may join at Askari for breakfast – please book at Asakari).

9 am: Elephant Experience. (Visitors may join at Askari – please book at Asakari).

12 am: Leave for Maropeng (http://www.maropeng.co.za/ ) and Lesedi Village Cultural Experience (http://www.lesedi.com/ ). Free entry to MGW group excl. visitors.

1 – 2 pm: Lunch packet for travel supplied by Askari.

4 pm: Back to Fairway hotel, check in etc. those who have not yet checked into rooms. Free time.

(At Fairway Hotel for rest of the competition).

Night:

6.30 pm Dinner at Melon Restaurant, Melville (sponsored for delegates, judges & directors) (Producers & visitors may join – book with restaurant here: melonlounge@mweb.co.za ). Open to Public.

9 pm:  Drive to Pretoria to Plum Nightclub for social.  Entry free for all MGW group excluding visitors. Public: R80. Hill street, Arcadia.

Fri 6 Apr: (Public Holiday)

Day:

8 am – 9 am: Breakfast

9 am – 12 am:  Sports Challenge at Fairway Hotel (“Survivor”-type event). Open to public – book here: coeniek@mrgsa.co.za with “Sport” in the header. (Visitors may join. Cost: Including full lunch buffet: R195 pp. Max. 40.

12 noon: Meet fans at swimming pool, relax

1 pm: Buffet lunch (supplied for delegates, producers, judges & directors). Rest: R275 – max 40.

2 – 7 pm: Panel Interview with judges.

NB: Delegates NOT interviewed: Lexus photo shoot.
Night:

7.30 pm: Dinner @ Fairway (not supplied). Open to Public. Book through Fairway.

9 pm: Leave for Babylon the Bar for social. Open to Public.

Sat: 7 Apr:

Day:

8 am – 9 am: Breakfast

9 am: Leave for Cultural Experience: Apartheid Museum (Gold Reef City). Free entry to MGW group excl. visitors. Open to Public. No need to book. Entry R55 pp.

12 am: Outreach Children’s Charity

1 – 2 pm: Lunch Fairway (not supplied)

2 pm: Free time

3 – 6 pm: Meet choreographer and explanation of Grand Finale (Fairway). First rehearsals.
Night:

7 pm: Official Charity Auction & Dinner (supplied), Fairway Hotel (sponsors invited). Dress: Smart (no jeans). Open to public – book here: coeniek@mrgsa.co.za with “Dinner” in the header. Cost: R275 pp, max 40.

Sun: 8 Apr:

Day:

8 am – 9 am: Breakfast

9 am:  Leave for rehearsals The Lyric Theatre

10 am – 1 pm: Rehearsals

1 – 2 pm: Lunch (supplied)

2 – 5 pm: Rehearsals

Night:

6 pm: Dinner (supplied)

7 pm: Dress for first scene

8 pm: Grand Finale, The Lyric

Mon: 9 Apr: (Public Holiday)

Day:

Free time

11 am: Winner’s Brunch (not supplied)

Some delegates to airport depending on flights.

Night:  Prepare for Cape Town, Free time

Tuesday: 10 Apr:
8 am – 9 am: Breakfast

Winner, delegates & directors to airport to leave for home or after-event in Cape Town.

Tuesday: 10 Apr – Sat 14 Apr: After-event in Cape Town

 Taj Hotel. See http://www.tajhotels.com/luxury/City-Hotels/Taj-Cape-Town-Cape-Town/Overview.html (Winner & directors – complimentary incl. breakfast).

Optional Hotel: Protea Victoria Junction: Visitors to book there: http://protea-victoria-junction.h-rez.com/index.htm?lbl=ggl-en&cid=334649

Sat 14 Apr.

 Return to Jhb for connecting flights to home country.     

South Africa is hosting Mr Gay World, 4 – 8 Apr 2012 (see www.mrgayworld.org) as you may know.

Mr Gay World is defined as an annual contest for gay men, seeking to establish ambassadors for Gay and Human Rights, with winners of national contests competing as delegates in a variety of categories. It is not a beauty contest and there is no age limit. This competition is the most publicized gay contest in the world and unashamedly uses the attention it garners to focus attention on the plight of LGBTI people worldwide, with the focus in 2012 being on African LGBTIs specifically. The delegate chosen to represent his peers on a global stage will not only have the inner beauty of confidence, self assurance, charisma and natural leadership abilities but he will also take care in his outward appearance. He will also have knowledge of LGBTI general history and recent news.

We are looking for African participants: the delegate accepted for each country needs only to get to Johannesburg before noon on Apr 4, 2012 and we take care of the rest – accommodation, transport and all breakfasts and most other meals. We also assist with obtaining visas etc. Generous sponsoring of certain clothes and products are given to each delegate.

Each delegate also brings children’s books in English as well as a memento or curio from his home country which will be auctioned at a glittering official dinner in aid of several charities.

Registrations have already opened – any candidate can apply to represent if his country does not have a national competition licensed to MGW – which means inter alia ALL African countries except South Africa and Namibia (the only two participating so far) – see http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/component/content/article/40-news-front-page/355-registrationmgw2012delegates.

The past two winners were both from South Africa and Africa has five allocated slots in the competition – we need to fill another three.

Please tell your friends and associates who you think might have what it takes (or even you!) and let us know.

Best regards,

Coenie Kukkuk
Director: Africa
Mr Gay World
africa@mrgayworld.org
www.mrgayworld.org