De Waal carries the title of Mr Benoni, for the year of 2012.
“I have met so many wonderful people and attended functions for great causes and it has been a privilege to be part of it,” he told the City Times.
He describes his favourite part of being Mr Benoni as the ability to meet many new people and attend events.
“Seeing how it made a little girl smile when she ran to her parents saying ‘I hugged Mr Benoni’ was a moment I will always remember; you kind of forget how important it can be to a child, so it has been amazing,” he said.
De Waal said the main benefit he gained from the title was self-confidence.
His described the young man he would like to claim this year’s Mr Benoni title as “a genuine person who cares about people and the community”
“Someone who can just enjoy whatever he is doing, whether it be helping someone out or just having an awesome time (a sense of humour always helps too,” he added.
De Waal experienced being part of the winning duo with Shannel Gray as “pleasing”.
“She’s an awesome girl and deserving of her title,” he said.
“We always had a lot of fun whenever we had functions to attend.”
He described the Mr and Miss Benoni pageant as “quite a big deal”.
“I went into it semi-seriously, but you soon realise the amount of effort and dedication that goes into this whole event, especially for the charities that benefit from it.”
He is currently the designer of the SA Hairdressing Journal and also does local and international freelance design work whenever he has the chance.
He recently designed a logo for an eye clinic in Norway and also started a part-time business with nutrition and anti-aging.
In his spare time he participates in activities such as warrior obstacle races and spends time with his friends and family.
Locals must keep their eyes open, as we might see him in more pageants in the future.
“A few people have suggested that I run for Mr South Africa, so maybe once I have tackled the gym properly, I might consider it,” he said.
Young men who fit the requirements of the pageant can enter for Mr Benoni 2013 by completing and dropping off the form provided in this week’s Benoni City Times at Rampage Modelling Agency, in the Northmead Square office block.
