Xolani Khumalo a Mr Mpumalanga semi-finalist

Mr Xolani Innocent Khumalo is a semi-finalist in the annual Mr Mpumalanga competition set to take place in Mbombela next year, 2 March.

Mr X, as he is affectionately known, is just one of 20 contestants from all over the province who will be able to participate in the grand finale.

However, only one thing stands in Mr Khumalo’s way, and that is to garner enough votes to qualify for the final stage.

A challenge he is up for as the community of Gert Sibande District Municipality, especially Ermelo, where he is based, has rallied around him to make this dream come true.

According to the Mr Mpumalanga Facebook page, the beauty pageant is a platform and tool to inspire men to be the best they can be by molding them into role models and ambassadors.

Mr X is that and more, having been in the modelling industry for four years and a broadcaster for three.

The community of Ermelo and surrounding areas know him by his deep baritone voice which he takes advantage of, presenting the Top 30 Charts slot on Saturdays on VOC Fm.

The 1.68 metre model is not just a pretty face with good genes but has the brains to back it up, having studied Marketing at Gert Sibande Tvet College and he was also a journalist and sports presenter at the local radio station.

Born in Carolina and raised in Amersfoort, Mr X moved to Ermelo to pursue his higher education.

He got his lean physique working on a farm near his hometown and Mr X proudly states he does not follow any exercise regime.

The disc jockey decided to pursue modelling after many people told him to go for it because of his stature and good looks.

He was snapped up by a modeling agency in Durban after they took one glance at him.

That led to Mr X gracing the Durban July in his first year of modelling.

“I was also on a national television channel through my modelling which was amazing because I had just entered the industry,” Mr X said.

With no stable source of income, Mr X came back home to build a career.

However, modelling is in his blood and he did part-time work here and there.

“Once again, people encouraged me to enter the Mr Mpumalanga pageant, I did and I made it through to the semi-finals.”

Mr X is currently on a community outreach tour which will see him visit various places giving back to the community.

“I am focusing especially on boy children as they are often neglected and all the focus is on the girl child.”

The tour began in his hometown of Amersfoort where he handed over soccer kits and balls to a soccer development site.

“I have a lot of work to do and I have an amazing support system which is helping me reach the goals I have set for myself on the road to the Mr Mpumalanga finale.”

However, Mr X is a novice at beauty pageants as he does prefer fashion modelling.

The preliminary stages of the provincial competition have armed him with knowledge though and he is quite confident he can go far.

He cannot do it on his own though and needs the help of the community at large.

Mr X can only go through to the finale if he has enough votes.

To vote for Xolani, SMS ‘ABMF MR07‘ to 40439.

“I can do this with the help of the people of Ermelo so I appeal to all to help me get to the final stage of Mr Mpumalanga,” Mr X concluded.