Finalist 2011 – Douw Naude
Name Douw Naude
City / Town Pretoria
Province Gauteng
Age 30
Career I’m currently working in the logistic – transport industry  as a branch manager at the biggest transport company in South Africa transporting trucks and busses around the country to dealerships. I am currently in line taking over another contract with our company and will be moving into a more senior position in the company in the next few weeks.
Previous Competitions Took part in Mr Gay RSA by Susca Watsts in 2003 and got to the top 10 finalists.
Why do you want to be Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2011? I’ve been “out” for more than 10 years now , and learned so much about gay life. There are certain perceptions on how gay life should be and how we should act and most of it have been imprinted in us by society perception and religious values. I want to show the world, we are not that different as we are your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who just happened to love the same sex partner. I was a youth pastor for several years and I believe each person is made unique ,whether you are Gay or Straight, embrace what you are given and don’t live a life half lived.
Which public gay figure, South African or otherwise, do you see as a role model and why? I see Ellen DeGeneres as my gay role model as she had a successful career as an actress in America and still she came out to the public. She pushed the boundaries by getting married when she knew in some countries her TV shows could be cancelled and most of her audience may even turn their back on her. This shows commitment and a person who will live in what they believe. Saying this in my heart I believe each person who takes the step by “falling out of the closet” to himself and other is a role model to each person around them because like we all know it takes everything you have to take that step.
Chosen charity to support Wet Nose
Web site / Blog http://www.facebook.com/dnaudepta
SMS Code SMS GSA 8 to 34008.Each SMS costs R2 – maximum of 100 SMS per Phone Number per day. E.g. SMS “GSA 8” to 34008.