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Remember these Mr South Africa winners from the past?

Cape Town - As the Mr South Africa 2020 entries now open, we take a look at six popular winners you might have forgotten about.

Did you know that the male pageant has launched the careers for several successful personalities including Michael Mol (Top Billing), Dieter Voigt (Pasella), and Marcus Muller (7de Laan)?

If you think you've got what it takes to be crowned South Africa's next winner, you'll find everything you need to know about how to enter here

ALSO READ: Here he is! Mr South Africa 2019 crowned

After being crowned Mr South Africa 1996, the 25-year-old trauma doctor went on to anchor one of the country's longest-running magazine TV show Top Billing for over a decade.

He later created two medical TV shows Hello Doctor and The Dr Mol Show, inspire South Africans to live better and healthier lives.

Today, at the age of 47, Michael is the director of Hello Doctor, a company that uses mobile technology to give people instant access to doctors, anytime and anywhere in the world.

2. Marcus Muller (2006)

Marcus Muller won the title of Mr South Africa in 2006, and following his reign he went on to play the role of legal advisor Liam de Lange in Egoli from 2007 to 2010.

ALSO READ: Beloved 'Egoli' actress Christine Basson dies

He is also known for playing the role of  Andre Vosloo in 7de Laan as well as appeared on Skeem Saam, and Villa Rosa.  

3.  Dieter Voigt (2007)

Primary school teacher Dieter Voigt walked away with the title of Mr South Africa in 2007 and was also Men's Health Look runner-up in 2005.

After a prosperous reign, Dieter followed in the footsteps of Michael Mol and landed a presenting gig on the Afrikaans magazine TV show, Pasella.  He also wrote an inspirational book for teens, titled Ek Dare Jou...Leef Voluit!

He later went on to turn his focus to teaching, and athletics coaching. Dieter is also the mentor of reigning Mr South Africa, Heinrich Gabler.

4. Adriaan Bergh (2011)

Adriaan Bergh walked away with the Mr South Africa sash in 2011, and rather than pursuing a career in the spotlight, Adriaan founded and invested in multiple companies relating to financial services, technology and mining.

The businessman went on to wed former Miss South Africa Melinda Bam in 2014.

5. Andrew Govender (2012)

Another Mr South Africa to launch a successful acting career following his reign is Andrew Govender, who was crowned the first Indian winner in 2012. 

Andrew appeared in Cosmo's Sexiest SA Men Calendar for 2013 and has also participated in SA Fashion Week. He also guest starred in an episode of High Rollers on SABC 3.

The 33-year-old made his feature film debut in 2016 when he was cast in the role of Ravi the leading male character in Sallas de Jager's film Free State. A movie set in 1970s South Africa when inter-racial relationships were illegal.

Andrew is now based in Los Angeles where he works as an actuary while pursuing his acting career.

6. Habib Noorbhai (2017)

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My Mr South Africa journey (2017) and title is a chapter that I’ve left in the past. The platform had certainly allowed for our foundation (The Humanitarians - founded by myself in 2013), to grow and help many people. It has also afforded me the opportunity of meeting many wonderful people that I still keep in contact with today. Unfortunately, there is a ‘but’. I couldn’t pretend that everything was ok and attend the finale on a diplomatic front. Which was to no surprise, why I wasn’t even invited to hand over the title (despite me renouncing the title on the 30th December 2017 due to being treated unfavourably). This has never been done in pageant history - where a winner has not handed over the title to the successor. However, we need to move forward and leave things in the past. With the current hype around the new winner, this is no time for people to hear what had happened more than a year ago. I am beyond proud and happy for my successor and good friend, the new Mr South Africa - Heinrich Gabler, congratulations and all the best during your reign. I am certain that, you too, will use the title towards the betterment of society, and not divulge into the superficial experiences that the pageant industry so commonly presents. I certainly hope that your reign will be more joyful, impactful and less of a financial burden than mine. Myself and Gabby were room mates for two days prior to the 2016 final on the 24th November 2016 as well as on a Mr SA team getaway during October 2016 in George. Our friendship has only grown stronger ever since. With or without titles, we are confident that prior matters in the organization will not impede our brotherhood. His vision is steadfast on doing great work for SA by leading from the heart and has such a remarkable life story and example to share (more here: https://valcare.org.za/from-orphan-to-mr-south-africa-finalist/). As a previous Mr SA who received minimal support, I will always be there to support you or offer advice. I would also like to encourage South Africa and my personal followers to support and follow him. Heinrich is going to make so many waves! Watch his space ?? Best wishes, Dr Habib Noorbhai

A post shared by Dr Habib Noorbhai (@habib_noorbhai) on

Many don't know but Dr Habib Noorbhai, who won Mr South Africa in 2017, was nominated among Mail and Guardians top 200 young South Africans in 2015. 

In 2015, he had his own sport and health show on OpenView HD and a radio show on Hashtag Radio. 

In 2018 he delivered a TEDx Talk about beauty pageant stereotypes and how he personally managed to shatter them. 

CORRECTION: Channel24 previously listed JP Robberts as Mr South Africa 2016. JP was crowned Mr South Africa 2016 second prince and Mr Photogenic 2017.

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