Dene Botha is gay community's sexiest man

Hosted by Mambaonline.com, South Africa's most popular gay lifestyle website, this year's survey - its fifth edition - saw South Africa's gay community voting via SMS and online for its favourite local male celebrity out of a compliment of 11 scorching finalists.

In an exclusive interview with Mambaonline.com, 27-year-old Dene was asked how he felt about taking the title, replying: "Amazing! After seeing the names of the previous years' winners, I'm really honoured and pretty damn surprised to be honest."

Past winners in the poll include: TV presenter and actor Rowan Cloete (2003); SA born supermodel Damien Van Zyl (2004); soap star and singer Stefan Ludik (2006); and Top Billing presenter Janez Vermeiren (2007).

Dene is not only a professional surfer and coach, but was earlier this year named South Africa's "most irresistible man" after winning the Axe Sweet Life reality TV show and was Mr March in Cosmopolitan's 12 Hunks for 2009.
He's graced several magazine covers such as Men's Health Living and has been featured in GQ and Cosmo. He is also an actor, having performed on stage at the Baxter and in two upcoming films.

Dene told Mambaonline.com that his gay friends are extremely proud of him and thanked the gay community: "Yeah, you guys rock! A HUGE thank you to all for the support. I'm stoked."

To read the full interview, which includes Dene's future plans, the importance of a healthy sex life in an exercise regime and his thoughts on posing in the buff, go to www.mambaonline.com.

With over 2200 votes cast by the gay community, Dene was followed, in second place, by e-TV Superdance presenter Jonaid Carrera and model and up-coming club deejay Thomas Coetzee, in third place.

"I'm so honoured to be placed second. Not bad at all! I'd like to thank all my fans who voted! If you can dream it, you can do it," said Jonaid on being told that he was the second most popular finalist.

As part of winning the Mambaonline Sexiest Man of the Year title, Dene wins a two night stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel's Ultimate Suite, a hamper containing designer underwear from Bonewear, hair care products from Thairapy, and a one year's supply of skin care products from Michaelgameplan.