Zimbabwe is sending its first ever contestant to the Mr Gay World competition - Taurai Zhanje who is My Gay Zimbabwe.

Africa will have more finalists than ever before this year with representatives from Namibia, South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

Coenie Kukkuk, Africa Director for Mr. Gay World said: “It’s a major development. It’s the first time that black Africans will participate, which sends out a powerful message of hope to LGBTI people in Africa.

“A message that there are role models and that one can live as a successful and open LGBTI person.”

The delegates representing Africa are Robel Gizaw Hailu from Ethiopia, Wendelinus Hamutenya from Namibia, Lance Weyer from South Africa and Taurai Zhanje from Zimbabwe.

Kukkuk added: “It’s significant that an Ethiopian delegate is participating. The capital city Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union, so it sends a strong political message”.

Adding that space may be freed up for more contestants, he said: “Only those countries that have national competitions which are licensed to Mr Gay World are invited to participate. Due to space and logistics there is a quota for every continent and the four spaces allocated to Africa are now filled.

“However, should any other continent not fill its quota then applications for extra delegates will be considered.”

South Africa previously won the Mr. Gay World title in 2010 and 2011 and will host the competition this year.

In December last year, shortly after he was crowned the first-ever Mr. Gay Namibia, Hamutenya was assaulted by men who demanded his winnings. There were fears at the time that the incident could hamper efforts by Mr. Gay World to secure more African delegates.

By Special correspondent