WELL WELL…YESS MM

Zimbabwean man enters Mr Gay World

23/02/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
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Flying the flag … Taurai Zhanje

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A ZIMBABWEAN man will run the gauntlet of hate after entering the Mr Gay World parade set to be held from 4-8 April in Johannesburg.

Organisers say contestants “represent their nation… and embody the spirit of their nation”.
But homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe – as in 37 other African countries – and Taurai Zhanje’s claim to represent the country could spark a political firestorm.

Zhanje is only one of four Africans taking part in the event which is now in its fourth year. Ethiopian Robel Gizaw Hailu, Namibian Wendelinus Hamutenya and South African Lance Weyer are the others.

“It’s a major development. It’s the first time that black Africans will participate, which sends out a powerful message of hope to Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex people in Africa. A message that there are role models and that one can live as a successful and open LGBTI person,” said Coenie Kukkuk, Africa Director for Mr Gay World.

Zimbabwe is in the final stages of drawing up a new constitution, and in advance of the publication of the final draft, President Robert Mugabe said he would reject any incorporation of homosexual rights.

Addressing chiefs in Zvishavane on February 16, Mugabe said: “All of us at some point in our lives have raised dogs, and we know that in raising them, you need a female and male to mate in order to have puppies.

“Now, if even dogs know that to procreate you need a male and a female, what of us humans?

“They want men to wed men! That’s what we reject.”

Kukkuk fell short of admitting that they had head-hunted contestants for symbolic reasons.
He told the online gay portal MambaOnline.Com: “It’s significant that an Ethiopian delegate is participating. The capital city Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union, so it sends a strong political message.”

The official Mr Gay World website says the competition takes place over “an intense four days”. Participants take part in a photo challenge, sports challenge, fashion show, swim suit challenge, public speaking and undertake work with local charities.

“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 beauty,” the website adds.