Anton Cronje, Mr Urge NZ Bear 2007

Wed 4 Apr 2007 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA

Congrats on becoming Mr Urge NZ Bear 2007, Anton. What was the competition night like for you? I enjoyed the atmosphere of seeing many friends and the buzz of excitement from just being a contestant; no way did I ever think I would win. I was just myself on stage and nothing more nothing less. What did you have to do on stage to win? Judges asked questions in the first round in general and in the second the questions were more directed in relation to your outfit, which, had to represent your fantasy. What prizes did you win? I won airfares to Melbourne in June to represent New Zealand in Hi-Bearnation 2007. Also a bar tab at Urge, a great Air New Zealand Business bag that can hold a laptop, and a big 3-litre bottle of Heineken. So where were you born, and how long have you been in NZ? I was originally born in Lusaka, the capitol of Zambia in Africa. Grew up mostly in northern and surrounding parts of Johannesburg in South Africa. I arrived in New Zealand on the 20th July 2002. So I've been here almost 5 years now. What's the gay nightlife like in Auckland? Do you go out a lot? I've found that there is always somewhere to go or something to do or an event happening for the GLBT community to support and attend. Do I go out a lot…. Mmmm... I have over the last 6 months kept busy with enjoying dinners, movies, DVD nights and weekends away more than going out. I do like going along to some of Urge's Undies parties or their charity fundraisers if I am around when they happen. What's your relationship status? Single When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? After finally accepting I was gay, I came out to my sister in 2002 after arriving in New Zealand. I was very relieved for her to know and felt like a HUGE 10 year weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Seeing how the gay community was accepted here in New Zealand certainly opened my eyes and mind. I was determined to live an open life after that and that's when I told my sister. Since then I have been living as an open gay man. I came out to my brother in August and my mum in October last year. But saying that mum always knew but circumstances and culture prevented us both from talking about it until last year. They say a mother always knows … and it's true. What do you think is the most pressing issue currently facing the NZ GLBT population? HIV / AIDS. It is unbelievable how trusting people can be and I myself have been down that road a few times thinking it will be ok, just this once. WRONG … once is all it takes. I'll tell you something … it is the most awful feeling sitting in a waiting room of a sexual health clinic or doctors' rooms, waiting to hear your test results and then having to go back 3 months later for another to be sure. Come on guys be sensible, use a condom, do you want to be that person sitting in that waiting room? … I heard a speaker say once at an Aids Foundation rally in South Africa: "Come on Guys lets Condomize". Favorite music at the moment? O … um … hehehe …my favorite music at the moment is quite random but I'd have to say that I have been enjoying revisiting THE PET SHOP BOYS oldies as I went to their concert on Thursday last week. I'm enjoying phase, which includes a mix of listening to Buena Vista Social Club and St Germaine with a hint of old classic pieces by Tchaikovsky and Mozart. Favorite movies? Most Favorite….. ALL ABOUT EVE … gotta love Bette Davis! Favorite TV programmes? Invasion, Grey's Anatomy, Smallville and BATTLE STAR GALACTICA (new remake) Favorite web sites (as well as GayNZ.com of course)? Of course GayNZ.com! But also … My favorite is listening to THE RUDE AWAKENING on a South African radio station's live streaming when I get home from work…. Do yourself a favour and have a listen to Highveld Stereo 94.7 on the web page: www.highveld.co.za Reminds me of when me    GayNZ.com - 4th April 2007

Credit: GayNZ.com

First published: Wednesday, 4th April 2007 - 12:00pm

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