Hearts on sleeves for 1st Bachelorette SA
PROFILES: WHY THESE MEN THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BE CHOSEN Model, actress and anthropologist Qiniso Van Damme is the one they want.
Which of these men will win the key to Qiniso Van Damme’s heart? As the February 2021 premiere date for M-Net’s first season of The Bachelorette draws closer, viewers finally get to meet the men who will be competing for the honour of winning model Qiniso Van Damme’s heart.
The fanfare began back in July, when M-Net announced the country would be getting its own version of the show. The channel then launched the search for a woman who could carry the title of SA’s first bachelorette”.
The model, actress and anthropologist was chosen as the woman who would step into the role. But who would be vying for a chance at love with Qiniso?
Well, according to M-Net, Brad, Dylan, Kganya, Ruan and Ten are just some of the contestants fans will see this season. Check out their profiles below:
Bradley (Johannesburg)
When he’s not fulfilling his work obligations in the banking and insurance industries, this 29 year old hones his skills as a trained athlete and avid hip-hop dancer. This is in between travelling the world (pre-pandemic), enjoying exclusive clubs and parties and spending time at his portable recording studio.
Bradley describes himself as articulate, straightforward, confident and mature. He says that he is a planner at heart and believes everything should be executed to perfection.
Dylan (Cape Town)
This self-proclaimed digital nomad and trouble-maker from Cape Town lives with eight of his friends in a converted BnB.
The 28 year old was born in the US and has been living in South Africa since he was 14, although he admittedly loves spending winters overseas.
“A laid back chameleon with many personalities, Dylan studied Business Science, but is now a musician and is the first to admit commitment is not his strong suit,” said M-Net in his profile.
In his defence, Dylan acknowledges he needs to stop running and it is now time to find “the one” – a revelation brought on by serious introspection and a lot of alone time.
Kganya (Johannesburg)
Seemingly the youngest of the bunch (thus far) energetic, lively and memorable are just some of the words 23-year-old Kganya uses to describe himself.
“True to his name, this loveable geek possesses a smile that lights up a room. Kganya plies his trade as a trainee chartered accountant, who is also a lecturer and Master’s student.”
He wants people to know that he is not boring and that his maturity will make everyone forget he is only 23. Kganya is an extrovert who enjoys going out and having a good time, loves PDA, and considers himself to be very sentimental in relationships.
Ruan (Bloemfontein)
Although he is originally from Bloemfontein, this ambitious 26 year old is now based in Pretoria – something that ended his three-year relationship with his high school sweetheart.
However, Ruan would like to make it known that he is ready for love again.
“He comes from a big family after his parents divorced and one remarried. When he is not running his fledgling construction company, you will find this cutie with an Afrikaans accent working towards finishing his Architecture qualification at TUT [Tshwane University of Technology] Pretoria.” Thanks to his long dark locks and beard, Ruan has often been compared to Game of Thrones star Jon Snow (Kit Harrington).
After having travelled parts of Europe, Ruan says he will take Qiniso to Italy on a romantic date.
Ten (Durban)
36-year-old Ten Naidu spent nine years travelling to 90 countries to teach, pray and find love – to no avail. After having left the country in his early teens, Ten has returned to find love where he grew up before whisking his new love away to the 100th destination on his list.
“His philosophy is to embrace every experience and enjoy every moment. Ten is open, true and witty. He had a brief relationship with someone who reminds him of Qiniso and feels perhaps it foreshadowed this opportunity.”
He is a qualified I.T. trainer and school teacher specialising in English, Information Technology and maths.