Welcome to South Africa's gay capital

Enjoy the links to Cape Town's gay scene though this blog which in turn links to our 3 main cities - Gay Durban and Gay Johannesburg.

Pride Films in Cape Town

Not very well publicised but Ster Kinekor are halfway through their Pride Film Fest in South Africa with 2 movies left to screen in their Cinema Nouveau complexes around the country.

In Cape Town there will be a screening of The Kids are Alright on the 12th November whilst their other movie Eyes Wide Open screens only at 4 venues on the 12th (Rosebank and Cavendish) and 26th November (Brooklyn and V&A Waterfront Cape Town).

Last year I was appalled by the lack of publicity for the few films they were showing and adverts at the Cinema for the gay film fest apologised to straight patrons for the screening on one day of the year of films to suit the gay community. Poor show Ster Kinekor.

Cape Town's finalist: Mr Gay South Africa 2010

Cape Town is turning out the talent with 3 finalists in the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 pageant. Not only did last year's winner Charl van den Berg hail from Cape Town but he went on to be chosen as Mr Gay World.

In the photos from top to bottom (lol) are Andre' Lammers, Errol Stroebel and Ernest Gravett.

SMS voting for the 2010 competition has opened and all of the finalists can be seen on the Mr Gay South Africa official website here.

Mr Gay South Africa Sat 7 August Cape Town

It's the southern regional finals of the 2010 Mr Gay South Africa in Cape Town at The Glen Boutique Hotel Sat 7th August. If you havn't secured bookings or accommodation you can make event bookings through the organisers at the email address given below and accommodation directly through the Glen Hotel or the other fine gay guesthouses in Cape Town.

For event bookings email headed "Cape Town" to hennie@mrgaysouthafrica.co.za .

Greenpoint Stadium

Here's a photo of the new Greenpoint World Cup Stadium from the sea with Table Mountain in the background.

It's courtesy of our friend Juanne-Pierre who now lives in Cape Town and writes a blog on his gay experiences.

Cape Town Pride 26 Feb - 7 March

Hey it's Cape Town's Pride Festival from the 26th February to the 7th March, so be sure to get in on the action.

Here's the link to their Facebook page and you can get details and links to most of the events - just check out the sidebar to the right on this blog.

Cape Town boy scoops Worldwide Mr Gay 2010

Cape Town's Mr Gay South Africa, Charl van den Berg, has just been selected as the new Worldwide Mr Gay 2010.

He was crowned on Valentine’s day at a gala ceremony in Oslo, Norway. The competition (previously known as Mr. Gay World) drew delegates from all over the world representing all of the continents.

Australia came second and the rest of the top five were made up of Hong Kong, Spain and China. Both Mr. Photogenic and Mr. Swimwear were won by Russia and Brazil took the Mr. Popularity title.

The competition was streamed live on the Internet to viewers from all over the world. Charl said from Oslo just before the finale started: “The competition is very tough, but I am confident.” That confidence shone through when he had to answer the main question put to the final five: “If you were to speak to an high school about sexuality, what would you tell them?”. Charl answered: “Sexuality is a private matter; regardless of what your sexuality is, we are all the same – we are all human beings.”

The 28-year-old restaurant manager from Cape Town impressed the judges and Morten Ruda, President of Mr. Gay Europe said to the organisers of the Mr. Gay South Africa™ competition: “Congratulations on your victory! He has made a deep impression on all of us here in Oslo! Well deserved. Best wishes for all his future endeavours.”

The first duty of the newly appointed Worldwide Mr. Gay will be to fly to Vancouver, Canada to take part in the festivities of the 2010 Winter Olympics. While in Vancouver and Whistler, Worldwide Mr. Gay will be an ambassador for equality and diversity while taking part in the Pride House – a safe space that brings visibility to LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) people in sport.

Cape Town winner - Mr Gay South Africa 2009

At a glittering affair in Pretoria our Mr Gay South Africa 2009 has been chosen - Charl van den Berg, 28 year-old Cape Town boy. You can connect with Charl on his blog.

Charl says: "It has been an amazing journey and something I know I will always remember. Up to know I have learnt more about myself than I think I ever have. I have realised my potential as a human being to be able to make a difference in my community and have also come to realise that I CAN do anything I put my mind to!"

Congratulations to the winner as well as the runners-up.

Out in Africa Film Festival Cape Town 10-20 Sept

The 16th OUT IN AFRICA South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival takes place in Cape Town from 10-20 September 2009 and in Johannesburg from 3-13 September and features 17 international feature films and 9 South African productions, five of which are world premieres.

The festival has a wide range of films to appeal to all with subjects that run the gamut of human experience. Themes range and include, amongst others: high school hilarities, forbidden love, coming out, the desire for children and ageing gigolos. Moviegoers can look forward to comedies, tragedies, dramas and thought provoking documentaries. Every genre of filmmaking is covered including homage to celebrated gay icons.

Award winning international directors and actors will attend as guests of the festival. The festival opens with Spinnin' (6 Billion Different People) a film made by Spanish director Eusebio Pastrana in 2007. This is the Spaniards at their wacky best – an exuberant award winning film set in Madrid in 1995 and follows lovers Garate and Omar as they seek to have a child.

Included in the line up is Fig Trees. Directed by John Greyson, this Canadian production is a contemporary opera based on the lives of South Africa’s own HIV/Aids activist, Zackie Achmat and Canadian Tim McCaskell. The film uses clever historical references to Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thompson and is richly layered, intelligent and unique. Greyson, who is considered the Prince of Gay Filmmaking, is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance. He travels courtesy of the Canadian High Commission.

Angel, directed by Giorgios Katakouzinos is an award winning film that when it debuted at Cannes in 1982, took the world by storm. Based on a true story this Greek classic is considered the one Greek film that all Greeks have seen. Anyone who has seen Cabaret will be fascinated by Chris and Don, directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara This amazing documentary is about Christopher Isherwood whose short stories “Goodbye to Berlin” were the basis for the musical Cabaret. This sharp, witty and revealing film is told mainly by his lover, Don, and is supported by amazing archival footage of Hollywood starting in the late forties.

Courtesy of the British Council, the festival welcomes in attendance director Simon Pearce and producer Christian Martin whose film Shank follows the story of working class Cal who hides the fact that he is gay to his fellow gang members. Trouble erupts when he rescues a French boy his gang beats up. This explicit, shocking, largely hand-held film has already picked an international award and breathes new life into British alternative cinema.

Probably the most controversial film of the festival is the recently unbanned by the South African Film & Publications Board, XXY. This multi-award winning film is a complex tale of gender, identity and sexual orientation. Beautifully shot with stellar performances, the festival is proud to welcome the director, Lucía Puenzo and lead actor Inés Efron.

Click on the link here to see the full Cape Town schedule at the V&A Waterfront Nu Metro.

The Decks Cape Town - winner

Donovan is the winner of our Underwear and Swimwear Show prize of a 2-night stay at The Decks Gay Guesthouse in Cape Town. The competition was held at the recent Show at Durban View Gay Guesthouse and the contestants were expected to show us what they were wearing!!

Donovan was a bit shy to show the camera his winning underwear when receiving the prize, but here is a picture we took on the night of his sexy bum.

Hot in Cape Town

March and April are South Africa's best weather months... hot autumn sunshine, hot bodies, cool evenings....

Gay Pride Cape Town

The Cape Town Pride Festival got of to a fabulous start on Saturday 14th February with the glamorous Pride Pageant held at the Woodstock Town Hall. The evening was hosted by Lola Fine and Radio personality Julian Naidoo. The 300 people who packed the hall were delighted by the sight of 12 entrants for Miss CT Pride and six entrants for the Mr Pride part of the show, strutting their stuff. The new Mr Cape Town Pride is Christo Gillmer, with Ricardo van Linyen coming second and Edmund Farao third. The new Queen is Angel Lalamore, who was undoubtedly the crow's favourite. Logan Longoria is the 1st Princess with Shakira coming in as 2nd runner-up.

Here is some information on some of the events coming up:

The KARAOKE COMPETITION is now in full swing at Bronx Action Bar every Monday night @ 10pm. This contest is sponsored by ASSEGAI Personal Lubricants, and you stand the chance of winning R2500 in cash and prizes as well as perform along with the two runners-up at the Pride Carnival Party on Saturday 28th February. Come along even if your singing is dismal, because outstanding crowd-pleasing performances will also be rewarded. The Final will be on Monday 23d February.

OUT IN AFRICA - CAPE TOWN PRIDE FILM FESTIVALOPENING COCKTAIL PARTY & FILM PREMIERETHURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY

19.30. Nu-Metro, V & A Waterfront. R50. Cape Town Pride is happy to be collaborating with the OUT in Africa Film Festival, who are organising a mini film festival to coincide with this year's Cape Town Pride Festival. The Grand Opening will be a viewing of "The Marching Season".

Bookings through the Nu-Metro Box Office @ the V & A Waterfront.

PRIDE RED PARTY FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY, Beaulah Bar
21:00 till LateEntry: R40.00 Free Shooter on arrival

This is the 1st major party of the Festival. Red is the colour and HIV Awareness the theme. Ever popular DJ Jarrad, a regular at Beaulah Bar will be on the Decks to help you dance the night away, along with DJs from Good Hope

FMPRIDE BRAHMS WINE STOMPING DAY SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY

Cost: R500. Package includes transport from Cape Town in a coach, refreshments on arrival & mid morning; branded towel & wine glass, vintners lunch with wine cellar tour, orientation, picking, tasting, & a bottle of wine, specially labeled & sent directly to your door after the event. Support the pride initiative and stomp grapes on Brahms in a pink group! Domain Brahms Winery in Paarl is rolling out the barrel for those inclined to squish some grapes between their toes. The days when winemaking was done by the foot are long gone, and even though they may have the latest in gleaming wine press technology Brahms Winery is showcasing the retro charms of stomping in a development that builds on the recent trend of culinary tourism.

PRIDE LION'S HEAD HIKE SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY

11.00. Meet at the Foot of Lions Head, Signal Hill RoadEnjoy spectacular views of the entire city and burn some calories at the same time. Bring a bottle of water and refreshments to enjoy at the top. For more info Contact Louis 084 299 3662

PRIDE BOOK FAIR SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY

14.00. Venue: The Book Lounge - (Corner of Roeland and Buitekant Street, Cape Town)An event for those who love the written and spoken word. This year some of our featured authors speaking at this event will include Stephen Simm (Miss Kwa Kwa), Melanie Judge (To Have and to Hold: The Making of Same-Sex Marriage in South Africa), Derrick Fine (Positively Alive Series), Jane Bennett (Porcupine), Christina Engela (sci-fi comedy stories) and Tamo von Arnim (Amor Universal).

COCKS & TAILS – DRAG KING COMPETITION SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY

17.00.Beaulah BarEntry: Donation to PrideA chilled Sunday evening with our favourite cocktails from 5pm. Girls – dress like guys and take part in our Drag King Competition

DINING WITH PRIDE SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY

19.30Venue: SYNERGY ON 7 at Mandela Rhodes PlaceTickets: R250.00 including glass of wine per courseAn elegant dinner at SYNERGY ON 7 at Mandela Rhodes Place. Synergy on 7 presents itself as a new space for dinner to escape into a theatre of dining. Here the menu is a classic-meets-modern affair with fresh new flavours and an emphasis on colour.

A FOUR COURSE DINNER WITH WINES – including internationally acclaimed wines from award winning cellar – Domain Brahms. Meet the winemaker and discuss the wines over this elegant dinner. For bookings or enquiries, contact brandon@evenovation.co.za or 0722264833

PRIDE DIVAS ON BROADWAY MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY

20.30.Entrance fee: R85Some of Cape Towns most notorious Doyennes of Drag are getting together for a special, one-off, kick-ass show, featuring the bodacious BOND AMBITION trio, comprising of Victoria Caballaire, Madones Lemming & Celeste von Trump, fresh from their recent spectacular debut at the Loft Lounge. Joining them will be the evergreen Sheena Alexander, as well as a few guest stars. The lovely Dame Vera Man Your will host in her inimitable style and wit. This is drag with a difference, not to be missed.Bookings essential at 021 424-1194/5 or http://www.onbroadway.co.za/

PRIDE SEMINAR: NEW HIV PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY

Venue: The Loft LoungeTime: 18.30 to 20.00FreeThis seminar will focus on the Cape Town PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) Study. This first of a kind HIV Prevention Study is designed to determine if HIV antiretroviral drugs taken once a day may help prevent HIV infection among gay & bisexual men and trans women in Cape Town. We will present important background data, the PrEP concept, details of the Cape Town study, and answer questions. Presented by the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation & the Mother City Men’s Health Project.


INTERFAITH SERVICE TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY

Venue: Mowbray Town HallTime: 19h00This is a celebratory service including Muslim, Unitarian, Christian and Jewish worshipers.

GIRLS OPEN MIC NIGHT WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

Venue: Beaulah BarTime: 9.00pmEntry: Donation to PrideAn evening of poetry, song and stand-up comedy for women only. Contact Marijke at Beaulah to participate:marijke@beaulah.co.za

PRIDE PUTT-PUTT WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

Venue: Mouille Point – Putt Putt course, Beach RoadTime: 18h00Entrance fee: R30 A fun outdoor event, where you can show off your putting skills with a dramatic Atlantic sunset as a backdrop

PRIDE SEMINAR: “SHAME & PREJUDICE: Unspoken Queer Shadows”
WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

Venue: Art CafeTime: 18h30 Entrance: FreePanelists address the unspoken loneliness of being physically disabled, obese, transgender or elderly – and queer. Hosted by Gender DynamiX

BOYS NIGHT OUT WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

Venue: The Loft LoungeTime: 21:00Entrance: R20A raunchy night out where the drinks are cheap and the boys are cheaper. Featuring live male strip show

PRIDE SEMINAR: “HIV Treatment: When, What, Why, How?”
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY

Venue: PHRU, 2nd Floor, 24 Napier StTime: 19h00This is panel presentation by Health4Men on the latest trends regarding when to commence ARV treatment, what ARVs to use and where to source them. Panellists include both medical professionals and people receiving ARV treatment.

BEACH PICNIC THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY

Venue: Clifton 3rd beachTime: 18H00Enjoy the beauty and magic of a Clifton sunset, and share the sights and sounds of the seashore with friends and family. Please bring along your own refreshments and snacks. This relaxed sunset gathering has always been very popular, and a great opportunity to get to know new people.

LADIES NIGHT OF SEDUCTION FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY

20:00 Venue: Friendly SocietyEntrance fee: R50A night of seduction, especially for the ladies. Come learn the secrets behind the art of seduction. We'll have professional lap dancing and pole dancing lessons, amongst other delights. For bookings, contact Lara 072 512 1886 lara3indigo@gmail.com

WILD WEST HOE-DOWN SHOWDOWN FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY

Venue: Beaulah BarTime: 7.00 to 22.00No cover charge but there is a R30 charge to ride the mechanical bull in the car parkFind out who the roughest rider is. Wear Stetsons &/or chaps to compete in the Rough Rider Competition from 7pm – 10pm. Take aim in our Saloon Bar Shootout.

PLAYNICE FETISH & UNDERWEAR PARTY FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY

Venue: The Runway, Sir Lowry Rd, WoodstockTime: 21.00Tickets: R30 donation to Cape Town PrideIt's all about fetish & underwear at the PlayNice launch party which kicks off their responsible play campaign with two sizzling ramp shows that celebrate creative play and fetishes, hunky fun and DJs. This is the one you'll want to be at.Contact: Glenn de Swardt 021 425 6463 glenn@health4men.co.za

PRIDE PINK BREAKFAST

Venue: The Nose BarTime: 9.00 to 12.00Cost: R60Start your Pride Parade in Pink Fizzing style with a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast with a glass of Eikendal Pink Fizz to get you in the mood for the day. And for every Pride Parade Breakfast served, R10 will be donated to Cape Town Pride. Breakfast with a glass of fizz will cost only R60 so book your table now by phoning 021 425 2200 or dropping in at the Cape Quarter, Dixon Street, De Waterkant (minutes away from the Parade start

PRIDE PARADE & CARNIVAL PARTY SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY

The Parade trough the City Centre starts at the Green Point Traffic Department at noon. It will end on lower Napier St, outside the Prestwich Primary School which will once again be the venue for the Carnival Party. As usual, there will be a wide range of live entertainment, as well as a full bar, delicious food and a number of art & craft stands. Entry: R30. Ends @ 8.00pm.Let us know if you want to enter a float in the Parade.


PRIDE AFTER PARTY SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY

Venue: BambuTime: 10pm till 4amEntrance: R50 pre-sold and R80 @ Doorhttp://www.webtickets.co.za/event.asp?itemid=305764 End off the Pride Festival with a fabulous bang with the mother of all parties, the PRIDE After Party, hosted by clubbing promoter group Juicy. Those of you who remember Cruz, now Bambu, will know that the club provides an elegant clubbing experience. Best DJs including, James Matthes (Juicy Resident, PRIDE, MCQP & MASK), Charl Zer0 (MCQP, Juicy Resident) and SA Favourite Bruno Morphet. Expect gorgeous dancers and the most-up-for-it-crowd in the village!

PRIDE BEARS SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY
Venue: Amsterdam BarTime: 19:00 Entrance: R30Gathering of the hirsute and the men who like them

SUNSET CRUISE SUNDAY 1 MARCH
Venue: V&A Waterfront PierTime: 17H00Cost: TBAJoin in on a relaxed Sunset cruise leaving from the V&A Waterfront as the sun sets over the Ocean. Cash bar on board while cruising to Clifton and back.

GHMCC SERVICE SUNDAY 1 MARCH

Venue: Zonnebloem College ChapelTime: 18:00A Thanksgiving Church Service to end the Festival. Zonnebloem College Chapel, Cambridge Street.

Fly with Pride and get to Cape Town for the Festival!

Gay Accommodation

It is great to see that more gay Guesthouses are springing up in Cape Town. We regularly book accommodation for guests and visitors to Cape Town and you will see that the list we have to the right of the blog is growing. The featured picture is a new guesthouse - or perhaps only just discovered by us - Southern Comfort Guest Lodge. Check out this one as well as The House on the Hill - second pic featured.

Cape Town's newest Lounge

Cape Town's newest "diamond class groove lounge" opened on the 29th October.

It is situated at 6 Pepper Street. Says owner Dawid of his new club.."Nightlife is our business and we’ve put together a recipe to take gay clubbing to a new level. Gorgeous décor, intense sound, great cocktails… and of course the hottest beats this side of the Atlantic"... wow, welcome to Cape Town's night life!!

New Gay Bar - Amsterdam

Cape Town has a new gay bar - Amsterdam Action Bar at 10-12 Coburn street, De Waterkant. Launched this week, the bar will prove popular to locals and visitors.

They have a Facebook page as well so click here to keep updated on their events and parties.

Pride Film Fest V&A Waterfront to 11 Oct 08

ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL

Not very well publicised but on at the moment and till the 11th October is the Pride Gay Film Festival showing at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

A popular choice will be the sequel to ANOTHER GAY MOVIE which was about getting laid for the first time. In true gay fashion, ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL: GAYS GONE WILD! is about who can get laid the most.

ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL finds our heroes ANDY, NICO, JAROD and GRIFF reuniting at a gay resort in sunny Fort Lauderdale for Spring Break. They participate in a contest called 'Gays Gone Wild!' to determine who can attain the most "buttlove" over the course of the vacation.

Between Wet Package contests, Evil Gay Fratboys, and genital crabs the size of kittens, it's a bumpy road to booty victory. But this time around, love proves to be the biggest conflict of all as the boys struggle to rectify just how casual sex fits into their lives.

Review: "Lots of fun and good for laughs, but a bit over the top/limp" - Dave

Showing Thurs 9 Oct 9.45am, Fri 10 Oct 12.30pm and Sat 11 Oct 2.30pm

HOLDING TREVOR

Young, beautiful and intelligent, Trevor is in a stalemate. Entangled in an unhealthy relationship with Darrell, a self-destructive heroin addict, and trapped in a telemarketing job, Trevor finds scant comfort in Los Angeles' vapid party scene. At the hospital for his boyfriend's latest overdose, Trevor finds a potential new beginning in Ephram, a medical intern with ambition, a warm demeanor and strikingly good looks. After they spend a romantic evening together, Trevor gets poised to make changes.

Showing Wed 8 Oct 2.30pm, Fri 10 Oct 2.30pm and Sat 11 Oct 9.45am

KISS THE BRIDE

In high school, Matt and Ryan were best friends. More than friends, actually. But in the ensuing ten years, they've lost contact. So when Matt receives an invitation to Ryan's wedding he's surprised - especially that Ryan is marrying a woman! Matt interrupts his ideal alternative lifestyle to return to his hometown. He plans to rescue his former love from whatever "she-devil" has trapped him into this huge mistake.

Review: "Excellent movie; one not to be missed. Appropriate ending" - Dave

Showing Wed 8 Oct 6pm, Thurs 9 Oct 8.15pm, Fri 10 Oct 9.45am and Sat 11 Oct 6pm

RAINBOW'S END - DOCUMENTARY

With the advent of same sex marriage, homosexuals have achieved near-equality in much of Europe. Everything seems rosy, so why should they keep on fighting? RAINBOW'S END is a revealing and entertaining multinational journey from the center to the borders of Europe. Touching personal stories and social, religious and political insights make this film a must see and a starting point for the most relevant discussions about the future of lesbian, gay and transgender people within Europe and throughout the world.

Showing Tues 7 Oct 8.15pm, and Thurs 9 Oct 12.30pm

SHELTER

Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead-end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe's older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach's selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.

Showing Wed 8 Oct 9.45am, Thurs 9 Oct 2.30pm, Fri 10 Oct 6pm and Sat 11 Oct 12.30pm

TALK STRAIGHT: THE WORLD OF RURAL QUEERS

A controversial documentary about four gay men, who are living on the countryside of Swabia (a rural area in the south west of Germany) far off big cities. Being alone as Gays among a entirely heterosexual environment, they still try to live a rich and happy life. The film provides a bitterly comical portrait of a heterosexual perspective on gay men in Germany's country towns.

Showing Wed 8 Oct 12.30pm

MY SUPER 8 SEASON

This is a refreshing account of a youthful gay activist Marc caught up in the events of May 1968. When he is confronted by the realities of a young worker unable to come out at work, his politics and his life begin to collide. He is swept into political engagement, and the film brilliantly conveys the bold ambitions of left wing activism in the period which led to the creation of the French version of the Gay Liberation Front (FHAR).

Showing Fri 10 Oct 8.15pm

EAST/WEST: SEX AND POLITICS

Both in 2006 and 2007, the Gay Pride Parade attempts in Moscow are violently beaten down. For many observers, the attitude towards the sexual minorities seems to be the litmus test of the state of democracy in Russia. The film shows both the organizers of the Pride events and also the survival strategies of the majority Russian lesbians and gays, to whom the fight for democracy on the streets doesn't seem to be an attractive alternative.

Showing Thurs 9 6 Oct 6pm

Cape Town Out in Africa Film Festival

Here is the link to the website for the Out In Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which kicks off in Cape Town from the 11th - 21st September 2008 at the V&A Waterfrant. Check it out for news, reviews and titbits about everything, from this year's queer films, arts and culture, health, or just about anything that catches their eye.

Tourists in Cape Town

For Llewellyn's birthday we decided to do the tourist thing and booked into one of the delightful apartments in the gay village around Waterkant Road in Cape Town. We love drinking wine and a bonus was that the Stellenbosch Wine Festival was on in this town at the centre of the Wine region about 30 mins drive out of the city.

In the photos from top to bottom are Flowers, Llewellyn and Dave enjoying the Wine Fest and making new friends; Llewellyn and Dave at the Victoria and Albert Waterfront with Table Mountain in the background; Llewellyn taking a stroll up the cobbled road outside our apartment in the gay village; a seagull giving us the beady eye at the Waterfront.. we could also see some seals frolicking in the harbour waters just a little further out. What a wonderful birthday in the Mother City!!

Mr and Miss Gay SA 31 May

Cape Town's Quentin Saunders is this city's hopeful in the Mr and Miss Gay South Africa International finals being held in Pretoria this month end.

Before and after the show and pageant you will be able to join the crowd on the dance floor to the cool sounds of one of South Africa's top DJs Hennie Blom and party until sunrise.

There will also be a special appearance by Mr Gay South Africa 2007, Mr Community, Mr Cool Smile, Mr Jeans, Mr Personality, Mr Speedo, Couple of the Year and Drag Queen of the year.

The extravaganza will be held at the Portuguese Hall and tickets may be booked through StrictlyTickets.com or TicketBitch.co.za.

Seen in Cape Town

To fully appreciate a destination in one's own country, there is no better way than to be a tourist yourself and savour the sights, sounds and tastes. Here we are in Cape Town in the photos (from top) Llewellyn on Clifton Beach 3 - the gay beach, myself (Dave) outside Parliament with a backdrop of Table Mountain, Llewellyn posing outside the Houses of Parliament, and lastly views of Sandy Bay, Cape Town's famous nudist beach - the far end, seen from the rock outcrop in the penultimate photo, being the gay section. Enjoy!!