OUT: Who is your role model and why? JJ: My Mother…….She is a Tough Cookie. Through her good example, even through her mistakes, I have received guidance for my journey OUT: Which famous person, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with? JJ: Mozart OUT: Love or Money? JJ: I think it’s unfair having to choose, don’t you think? A healthy and balanced combination of both has never done anyone any harm OUT: Boxers or Briefs? JJ: Briefs and often Commando
JJ: A very humbling experience and gratitude, mixed in a pot of joy OUT: How excited are you about representing SA at IML in Chicago in May? JJ: Over the moon, but humbled by the mere thought of the responsibility OUT: How do you rate your chances? JJ: When I think of IML, I see a picture that is so much bigger and more powerful than me. My chances and attitude are the same as for MR SA Leatherman ….Always positive, but never assuming anything. It would certainly be a personal achievement and a little gold star for the ego, and I would be the proudest South African if I had the honour of bringing the IML 2013 home. South Africans have
OUT: Chocolate or vanilla? JJ: CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE ! ! ! I EAT CHOCOLATE EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE OUT: What are you passionate about? JJ: Respect for others and of course yourself. The term “Human Right” often brings about the exact opposite of what it’s supposed to achieve. For some reason, some people think that it is OK to exercise ‘their’ human right at the expense of someone else’s. Respect has no room for that type of behaviour. OUT: Which talent would you most like to have? JJ: To sing Soprano OUT: What do you value most in your friends? JJ: Respect & Support OUT: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? JJ: Rejection…..everyone wants to be Loved, Recognised, Desired and Acknowledged OUT: How important is it for the leather community to be visible? JJ: It certainly is of great importance to be visible and acknowledged as an integral part of society. Sadly, fear of judgement will always be the cause of hiding in the dark. Visibility will alleviate that fear. Make yourself heard & respected as a leather disciple. OUT: What is the first thing that came to mind when you realised you won Mr SALM?
brought Miss Universe, Miss World & Mr Gay World home. I think its time for IML to touch African soil. Most South Africans have never even heard of Mr SA Leatherman, so a South African IML could change all those perceptions and challenge mindsets in a positive way. OUT: What can the leather community teach the gay community as a whole and society at large? JJ: Camaraderie, Brotherhood and Respect for our fellow inhabitants of this planet. Don’t judge a book by its cover OUT: Tell us about your chosen charity? JJ: Charity work is always a sensitive issue for me as I would prefer for it to remain private. However, for the purpose
of this platform, I shall reveal some, but not all. I have a heart for the elderly as well as underprivileged children. I grew up in a very humble home, thus knowing what it means not to have. Yet as an adult, I’ve come to learn that having stuff is also not ALL that life is all about. Some people are so poor that all they have is money. I’m very grateful for the values life has taught me in times of not having. I endeavour to apply my efforts wherever I can, but my priority lies with Dibanani, a non-profit organisation devoted to the care of abused and abandoned children in Cape Town and committed to restoring the living conditions, dignity and selfworth of those in need OUT: What to you hope to achieve during your reign? JJ: To change mind sets and misconceptions within the LGBT Community as well as the general public. We are often asked and sometimes even challenged, about our involvement and contribution specifically towards the LGBT community, while at the same time being judged and ridiculed by our own. I would love for all the South African title holders to join forces and work together. By no means do I suffer from a naughty child syndrome, saying that “his ice cream was bigger than mine”. But please explain to me why Mr GSA and Mr SA Leatherman were announced on the same page of a “gay” newspaper, but the coverage was different. There was no mention of Mr SA Leatherman’s achievements or awards, nor any mention of the fact that he will also, as an ambassador, be representing South Africa internationally at IML in Chicago, competing against 56 other countries. No one made any effort acquiring any personal or relevant info other than copying information from the website. So, where does one start the attempt to change misconceptions and discrimination? By now, most people know that I am a man of the cloth who has won the Mr SA Leatherman title. That in itself has already brought about a significant shift in most minds. I strive to always bring Hope. I would like all people to know that there is always Hope and there is always Beauty in life. People should never live in fear! ”A life lived in fear is a life half lived”. This is a line from one of my favourite movies, Strictly Ballroom. OUT: What’s your motto in life? JJ: There is never a disaster, but always a new creation. Anything is Possible!!! Mag 21