Mr South Africa 2019 defends its top 20 finalists from social media critics

Mr South Africa pageant released its top 20 finalist list and went straight to the top of the Twitter trends list, with South Africans criticising the list for a number of reasons.

The pageant has, however, not shied away from defending its choices, saying there were criteria used to decide on the list that did not only depend on the contestants’ physical appearance.

https://twitter.com/LungiNaidoo/status/1121308983413891072

Responding to a Twitter user who said the list was tragic, MR SA said: “What is? That some guys showed more courage than most other guys, worked themselves to the bone to get here to make a difference for their country? Yes, we agree. Tragic.”

Though the men have been criticised by most on social media, Mr SA said these were good-hearted men who had good intentions for our country.

“We are not a stereotype competition. Our contestants are real people, not photoshopped to perfection models. We look at our contestants’ integrity before we judge them on appearance.

“When judgment is passed as constructive criticism, we listen, our contestants and finalists listen, but when it is pure judgment based on somebody’s perception of what Mr SA must be? Would you want to be treated like that? Legit question there. Not fighting.”

These were some of the comments on social media:

Hang on, we never said you need to be Sexy to be Mr SA. All we ask is dedication to a better SA and a good heart. If that’s not good enough for our country then we don’t know what else to give you.

— Mr South Africa (@MrSAofficial) April 24, 2019

I wish Twitter crashes before the rest of the world gets to see that Mr SA top 20 😭💔

— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) April 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/M_Letsholonyane/status/1121302607320846336

Y'all throwing dirt on those MR SA Finalists ,what does your man look like sis ?? pic.twitter.com/7PyOqkSJck

— Only Malcolm (@Malcolm_Manko) April 25, 2019

https://twitter.com/ThabangSer/status/1121311922371088384

https://twitter.com/OfficialYayah/status/1121335721103634432

https://twitter.com/TALLCHIHUAHUA/status/1121306729050976256

Guys can we please compare the entry requirements for Miss SA to the entry requirements for Mr SA? pic.twitter.com/DSinTWJ7za

— naledi🍉 (@naledimashishi) April 25, 2019

I know two people from that Mr SA finalist list and they are quite good looking but even they don't look so good in those images… Sabotage…

— Dudoo (@Dudoo_D) April 25, 2019

https://twitter.com/JPROBBERTS_/status/1121313256214286336

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