Thirty year old Pretoria local Tylo Ribeiro was crowned the new Mister Supranational South Africa 2023 at the grand finale event held on Saturday, 22nd April at the prestigious The Venue, Melrose Arch.
The finale event was a glamourous black tie affair which saw a throng of celebrities, media and other VIP guests, dressed by some of South Africa’s finest designers dazzling on the red carpet which was hosted by former Mrs South Africa 2022, Jo-Judnick Wilson.
Out of the ten hopeful lads contending for the title, it was data scientist Tylo Ribeiro who emerged tops after wowing a star-studded judging panel. This included former Miss Supranational 2021 Chanique Rabe (Namibia), former Mister Supranational South Africa 2019, Rushil Jina, former Miss South Africa, Bokang Motjane-Tshabalala, radio and television personality, Kamo Moth, author and motivational speaker, Devon Brough, celebrity media photographer, Oupa Bopape and South Africa’s very own queen, reigning Miss Supranational 2022, Lalela Mswane.
Ribeiro also walked away with the title of Mankind Fitness Award winner, while finalists Anton Siebert, Mpendulo Nkosi and Nkuleleko Mbatha (also first runner up) received the special Man of Change awards for their From the Ground Up projects, proudly sponsored by Resa Khan – For the Love of Beauty. Jerobiam Julies was also announced as Mr Public Choice.
First runner up Nkuleleko Mbatha, Mister Supranational 2023 Tylo Ribeiro and Miss Supranational 2022, Lalela Mswane
Under new license ownership by Centre Stage Productions, this edition of Mister Supranational South Africa is the third time South Africa has awarded the title after winners Rushil Jina (Mister Supranational SA 2019) and Akshar Birbal (Mister Supranational SA 2021).
Hosted by the dashing TV presenter and model Tino Chinyani, the finale event was a spectacular production packed with scenes that showcased the Top 10 finalists dressed in the latest fashion by South African designers Lindani Styling, New Romantics Couture, Black Tie, and a sizzling swimwear scene with the young, muscled lads dressed by local brand Bulge & Bum.
Singing sensation Tamara Dey kept the audience moving delivering showstopper performances of hit song Colours, accompanied by the Top 10 finalists, and her newly released single, Disco Therapy. A surprise live mix performance by South African DJ Senior Oat added to the jam-packed grand finale event.
Once the Top 5 were announced, it became apparent that there was more to the young men than just good looks and chiseled pecs as they comfortably faced a round of interview questions from the judging panel, placing emphasis on their personal values and commitment to their From the Ground Up projects, a CSI-driven initiative that Mister Supranational South Africa will champion during his reign. To the question of what he valued most in life, Ribeiro confidently answered, “Kindness”, adding that kindness and care was something the world needed more of.
National Director for the Mister Supranational South Africa organization, Wayne Stafford, also took to the stage to thank partners and sponsors for their support, sharing his experience of what the journey has been like since taking ownership of the South African license and what his expectations are for the new title holder. “Congratulations to Tylo on winning the title, I know he will do a sterling job fulfilling his role as Mister Supranational South Africa and represent our country with excellence. I am incredibly proud of the achievements of all of the finalists, and I wish them well in all their future endeavours,” commented Stafford.
Ribeiro will compete on the international stage among 40 other countries at the Mister Supranational global contest set to be held in Poland, on 15th July 2023 this year.
