It has been proven that we in the Friendly City churn out stunning women and, more recently witnessed our local men staking a claim in the handsome stakes when local resident Denver Burns assumed the title of Mr SA 2010.
Now, in the running for Mr SA 2012, we have another two local guys as semi-finalists in the current crop of 50.
These top 50 semi-finalists will be popping down to Cape Town for one on one judging before the end of this year. In the meantime they have been set the task to host functions and fund-raisers around the chosen Mr SA charity – Chrysalis Foundation. The Chrysalis Foundation offers a life skills course for girls from 14 to 18 who have been physically and mentally traumatised, and are vulnerable in their communities including those living in children’s homes and places of safety. The purpose of the course is to uplift, educate and equip the girls to not only be in a position to cope with the crime perpetrated against them, but to also enable them to reach their full potential.
The Top 50 semifinalists will be judged on their ability to hold a successful and profitable fund-raiser. Judges will not know how much profit was made – only if one was.
I recently spent a pleasant hour with one of the local semi-finalists, William Heydenrych. Young William brought some great biscuits for us to share over a cup of coffee – thanks for that, William!
Born in Jansenville 24 years ago, William moved to PE at the tender age of 6 – yes he is of ‘that’ Heydenrych butchery family fame, which, I am sure was a great source of protein for William growing up. William describes himself as the ‘classic rugger bugger’ having represented Eastern Province at Athletics, Grey High School at wing in the 1st Rugby Team and playing outside centre for NMMU in the Varsity Cup.
His exposure to an entrepreneurial family and from a young age instilled in him a drive to succeed and own his own business, Little Big Technologies which he and partner, Richard Swart, have been running successfully since May 2010.
Asked what his expectations were in the Mr SA competition, William succinctly mirrored the feelings of everyone who ever enters a competition by saying; “No-one ever enters a competition to lose.” Which quite sums up the refreshing attitude of this young go getter.
William’s charity event for the Chrysalis Foundation will take place on 22 October 2011 in the form of an Offroad Duathlon. Offroad cyclists and runners will be battling it out in these two disciplines at the Merril Norm-Hudlin track off Kragga Kamma and at the same time supporting vulnerable young women.
Contact William at Little Big Technologies to take part in the Offroad Duathlon.
Also forming part of the Mr SA judging criteria is the requirement of all semi-finalists to create a blog and a Facebook profile which would allow Judges to, erm, judge the finalists from afar and see how they interact with people.
And ladies, sorry for you, but William does have a significant other in his life. His girlfriend has a background in high level modelling so is understanding of the public adulation that the title of Mr South Africa will bring.
Have a look at Williams Tumblr Blog here: William Heydenrych – Mr SA 2012 Semi-Finalist. His Facebook Profile: William Heydenrych – Mr South Africa 2012 Semi-Finalist. Follow William on Twitter: William Heydenrych. Have a look at William and Richard’s technology business: Little Big Technologies.
Help secure a top spot for William and Port Elizabeth by taking part in the SMS voting procedure: SMS “MRSA 161” to 34008.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Samro brings senior Leadership team to Cape Town for #MEX26 - 2 October 2026
- Serious Social Investing Conference 2026 Focuses on Doing More With Less - 2 October 2026
- How AI Is Helping Detect Eye Problems Earlier - 2 October 2026
- What Are the Limits to Upload and Analyse an Audio File Using AI? - 2 October 2026
- St. Petersburg Hosts Information Tour for Tourism Industry and Media Representatives - 1 October 2026
