Representing South Africa, doctor, model and television presenter Fezile Mkhize, 28, almost won Mister World 2019. He was declared the first runner-up in the 10th edition of the international male beauty pageant.

On August 23, 2019, Mr. World 2016 Rohit Khandelwal, 29, of India crowned his successor during the Mr. World 2019 coronation night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Mkhize did very well from the fast track events to the final question and answer portion but it was not enough to beat eventual winner Jack Heslewood, 27, of England.

While Heslewood is the new Mr. World 2019 with Mkhize as his runner-up, Brian Faugier, 25, of Mexico was second runner-up. Carlos Franco, 27, of Brazil and Alejandro Martinez, 26, of Dominican Republic made it to the Top 5.

Mr. World Organization CEO Julia Morley was the chairman of the board of judges. Her fellow judges were Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova, 31, Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle, 22, Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce de Leon, 27, Mr. World Organization head Arnold Vegafria, 49, Mr. World stylist Andrew Minarik, Mr. World musical director Mike Dixon, Mr. World choreographer and stage director Donna Derby, Bench founder and CEO Ben Chan and ABS-CBN broadcaster and journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas, 54.

Aside from finishing second, Mkhize was also crowned Mr. World Africa 2019. He was the only candidate from Africa to enter the Top 12.

Including Mkhize, five continental winners were crowned. The others were Mr. World Europe 2019 Alberto Nodale, 28, of Austria, Mr. World Asia and Oceania Jody Baines Tejano Saliba, 26, of the Philippines, Mr. World Americas Brian Faugier, 25, of Mexico and Mr. World Caribbean 2019 Alejandro Martinez, 26, of Dominican Republic.

Mkhize made it to the Top 12 by winning one of the fast-track events of the male international beauty pageant, which was the sport challenge. On August 9, 2019, the South African doctor outperformed his 71 fellow candidates in a series of sports contests including swimming, basketball, shuttle run and tag sprawl at the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City.

Hailing from Bloemfontein, South Africa, Mkhize speaks English, Zulu and Xhosa. He also works as a model and a presenter of the South African television program “Top Billing.”

On July 13, 2019, Mkhize was crowned Mr. World South Africa 2019. Had he won Mr. World 2019, he would have been the first titleholder of the international male beauty pageant from his home country.

Here is a clip featuring Mr. World 2019: