Call me Benoni, Mr Benoni

“I am expected to set a good example of what is expected of an ambassador of our great town,” were the words of Mr Benoni 2016, Jaryd Buchler.

Jaryd Buchler is Mr Benoni 2016. He is currently juggling family life, school, work and now... Mr Benoni.

The 17-year-old won the Mr Benoni title at the Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre on October 15, where his life took a major turn.

BCT: Tell us what makes you a true Benoni ambassador?

JB: Benoni is important to me because it is the town I have lived in for most of my life and I do not remember a time that I didn’t call Benoni my home.

The liveliness of the people in the town, and many people who I have met in this town, are a lot friendlier than other towns; I love the atmosphere here.

BCT: What made you enter the Mr Benoni competition?

JB: My decision to enter Mr and Miss Benoni was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

My partner Victoria Welthagen and I decided that this year we were going to do the competition together and that we were going to do our utmost to get as far as possible, together.

BCT: How did you feel when you were announced as the new Mr Benoni?

JB: The feeling was indescribable.

A million different emotions flowed all at once and I felt such an overwhelming happiness come over me.

What made the feelings even more intense was the fact that Victoria had just been announced Miss Benoni, so the realisation of what we had just accomplished together was absolutely breathtaking.

BCT: Now that you have been crowned Mr Benoni, what do you plan to do with this title?

JB: I plan to continue to raise funds for The Almond Tree Baby Home and others like it.

I would like to spread the love and get others involved in charity work so we can truly make a difference.

What I would like to do most of all is give back to the community in any way I can.

BCT: Most teens would be curious about your current relationship status and possibly having Mr Benoni on their side?

JB: I am currently single with no children.

BCT: Tell us about your part-time job?

JB: I have a part-time job with the Group 73 Tactical Advisory team.

I work mostly on film sets as an action extra through Group 73 (an action extra is someone who is qualified to shoot guns and play more than minor roles in film productions, so if a firearm needs to be discharged on film, we’re the ones to do that).

BCT: You still live in Farrarmere and attend Benoni High School, but has any part of your life changed since you were announced as Mr Benoni?

JB: I still wake up every morning and get dressed for school, eat breakfast with my family, get ready for the day and then hop on my bicycle and ride to school.

I say good morning to the traffic man at Farrarmere Primary School, exchange greetings with the man who stands on the side of the road – usually with something as simple as “Hey buddy, enjoy your day.”

I then arrive at school, where I am now greeted along the corridors as “Mr Benoni”.

I then attend class and have duties as an RCL nominee (prefect in training at Benoni High School) and the training of whatever that particular day entails, be it dynamic fitness or ju-jitsu training.

Then it’s family dinner and chill time, shower then bed.

BCT: What are your plans after matric?

JB: I plan to finish high school and then study either mechanical engineering or ICT at the University of Cape Town, or pack my bags and head off to Germany to study weapons engineering at the University of Berlin.

Then I hope to start my own company with the degrees I obtain.