Like all hopefuls who have entered the competition, Mpumelelo Mpebe’s dream is to walk away with the prestigious Mr SA title when the finals are held in Gauteng on December 12.
The 23-year-old from Mpumalanga, is one of the Top 50 and he hopes to be one of the 25 finalists who will be selected at a formal workshop on June 7.
The unemployed model trainee describes himself as a self-motivated, ambitious young man who is passionate about driving change in the lives of disadvantaged young people whose talents have not been identified due to lack of resources and facilities.
Born in the rural area of Moloto Village, Mpumelelo says he is fascinated by how talented young people in his home village are and at the same time, concerned that it is all going to waste because no one is doing anything to hone it.
“No one stands up and does something to encourage young people to go for their dreams,” he says.
Should he win the competition he says, his main focus will be to inspire them not to allow their disadvantaged backgrounds to determine how they live their lives.
To him, being the Mr SA brand takes more than looks and a few muscles in the right places.
“Of course, it helps to be good looking, but this journey requires a selfless person, someone with a big heart who is always concerned about the well-being of his fellow man and I reckon I have the potential and am capable of being the ‘man of honour’,” he adds.
If he is not helping others, Mpumelelo is playing soccer, volleyball, pool table, modelling and spending time with friends, motivating them to stand up and make life happen.
This Top 50 contender is the only entrant from Mpumalanga. Follow him on Twitter @boyker_mj and vote for him by sending an SMS with his code, MRSA 067 to 47439 at R3 per SMS.