Wendelinus Hamutenya

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Wendelinus Hamutenya was Mr Gay Namibia 2011, [1] one of two black Africans in the competition. [2] Two weeks after winning the competition, he was beaten up near his house for the prize money. [3]

In 2012, he took part in Mr Gay World; this was the first competition featuring any black Africans. [4] He was stripped of his titles in 2012 for "unbecoming conduct". [1] While it was not specified, it is believed that the charges refer to a 2012 domestic violence case against Hamutenya in Johannesburg, South Africa. [5]

In 2015, Hamutenya was mugged and beaten; LGBTQ groups in Namibia say the attack may have been politically motivated due to his LGBTQ rights activism. [6] In 2021, Hamutenya's boyfriend was arrested for the attempted murder of Hamutenya. [7] Hamutenya said his boyfriend stabbed him after he bought an older version of a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone that his boyfriend did not want. [8]

In 2023, following the Nigerian Supreme Court recognising foreign same-sex marriages in the country, Hamutenya said that "the Supreme Court of Namibia has ruled in favour of gay people". [9] Later that year, traditional leaders of the Herero people criticised Hamutenya over outfits he wore at an anti-homophobia demonstration in Windhoek, saying "What is utterly disturbing is that this 'man', who chose to use our dress inappropriately, does not even appear to be a Herero, making me wonder why he chose our dress and not the one from his tribe", and that "the Herero Traditional Dress ... is linked to a culture that has very deep roots in the Herero nation. It is completely inappropriate and distasteful for a 'man' to wear it as it is reserved for women and it is initially introduced to young women through a specific ritual." [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 "SHOCK AS MR GAY NAMIBIA STRIPPED OF TITLE". MambaOnline . 27 November 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Kelto, Anders (9 April 2012). "For The First Time, Mr. Gay World Crowned In Africa". KERA . NPR News . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  3. ↑ Igual, Roberto (11 October 2013). "FORMER MR GAY NAMIBIA FOR MP?". MambaOnline. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  4. ↑ "First black African contestants for Mr Gay World". TimesLIVE . 21 February 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Kisting, Denver (28 November 2012). "Namibia: Wendelinus Fights for Crown". The Namibian . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  6. ↑ Garcia, Michelle (17 November 2015). "Mr Gay Namibia Assaulted". The Advocate . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Jantze, Zorena (1 December 2021). "Mr Gay Namibia's husband in court for attempted murder". Informanté . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Jason, Loide (2021-12-01). "'Traumatised' Hamutenya hints at withdrawing charges". New Era . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  9. ↑ Ndeyanale, Eliaser (18 May 2023). "Former Mr Gay Namibia excited over same-sex marriage victory". The Namibian . Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "Wendelinus hits back at Ovaherero Traditional Authority after 'Otjikaiva' uproar". Windhoek Observer . 28 June 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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