MD swops patients for pageant – with gallery
A medical doctor who works at Seadoone Mall will represent South Africa when he walks out on stage at the Mr International pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia this month.
Dr Pubern Padayachee (27) lives in Durban, but is the resident doctor at Seadoone Medical Practice. The current Mr International South Africa will participate at the Mr International pageant from 10 to 23 November. Multi-talented Pubern is also a presenter on SABC’s Expresso morning show.
Mr International is the biggest male pageant in the world and this year will see contestants from over 50 countries participate in eveningwear, national costume and swimwear and be interviewed.
“There is a healthy dose of pre-pageant jitters,” said Pubern. “It has been quite a task managing my patients and getting the pageant preps done. The excitement will set in closer towards my departure, and I can’t wait to meet the rest of the contestants, and learn and share about their cultures.
We have quite an itinerary planned for two weeks. From dinner with the Sultan of Indonesia and governer of Jakarta, elephant rides, children’s hospital visits to beach martial arts and fitness camps. It is going to be an amazing experience.”
Pubern has been hard at work preparing for the pageant. “Grooming is important, from inside out. Not only do you have to concentrate on what you wear and your style, but nutrition, rest and exercise is extremely important. I have always mantained a healthy lifestyle, but have increased the gym hours and changed my routine. I gym twice or three times a day, Monday to Saturday. Getting your garments and working with designers to team your clothes with your personality also requires some skill and time.”
Pubern hopes to make good use of his time in Indonesia. “I have an interest in their public health sector. We will be visiting many hospitals and I have made special arrangements to meet with charity organisations and offer to assist with medical camps.
It’s my way of saying thank you to a great host country and to learn about how medicine is practised in the Far East.
It is an honour to represent my country internationally. I am a proud South African and I feel instrumental in highlighting the positives of South Africa and I look forward to changing the perceptions of most.”
