Growing up in Gqeberha’s sheltered environment, Bennum Van Jaarsveld said few could have predicted that he would rise to become one of South Africa’s most influential men, and a contender for the prestigious Mr Global South Africa title.
Van Jaarsveld, who was recently honoured among the Top 100 Most Influential Men of 2025, attributed his success to the solid foundation laid during his formative years in the Eastern Cape.
“Looking back, growing up in PE was fairly carefree and sheltered. It also formed the foundation from which I launched myself,” he reflected. “Port Elizabeth is a thriving city with so much going for it. PE origins have kept me grounded.”
His journey began with a BCom (Law) degree at Nelson Mandela University, where he discovered his passion for the advertising industry. This revelation prompted a move to Johannesburg to study Strategic Brand Communications. “It was at NMMU (now NMU) that I learned about the advertising industry, and a whole world opened for me – I knew this is where I needed to be,” Van Jaarsveld explains.
His career eventually led him to find his niche in Public Relations, serving as a media interface and spokesperson in the corporate world. These roles naturally evolved into opportunities for public speaking and acting as Master of Ceremonies at numerous events.
Pageantry entered his life later, when he competed in the Mr South Africa competition, reaching the Top 5 and claiming the Businessman of the Year Award – an achievement he credits with building his confidence.
“It gave me confidence to tackle challenges ahead but also equipped me to handle setbacks and never give up,” he said of the experience. “You’re also only as good as your network!”
Now setting his sights on the Mr Global South Africa competition, Van Jaarsveld believes his life experience gives him a competitive edge.
“My years of experience, life lessons, challenges I overcame, have all prepared me for this competition,” he said. “My communication skills, eloquence, organisational ability, relating to people from all walks of life – these set me apart.”
Recently, Van Jaarsveld qualified for the Short-Term Insurance Industry and joined his mother, Anne-Marie’s independent brokerage, Nic Olivier Brokers, based in Gqeberha. This career move has afforded him greater flexibility to pursue his passions for public speaking and community service.
Among his community engagements, Van Jaarsveld volunteers at a local feeding scheme, an experience he describes as perspective-changing. “I wanted to give back and help in my immediate community,” he explained. “Every week, seeing hungry and desperate people appreciate a nutritious meal puts life in perspective.” This community work informs his approach as a motivational speaker, where he frequently shares messages about perseverance and goal achievement.
“Achieving goals and dreams, working actively to go after what you want. If you can dream it, you can achieve it,” he said, adding, “I found an old vision board I made many, many years ago – I realised that I achieved 90% of the goals I wrote down.” Looking ahead, Van Jaarsveld hopes to leave a legacy centred on hope and community improvement.
“Helping others, improving circumstances, most importantly making people feel better about themselves – never giving up. A legacy of hope,” he emphasised. “We can improve our communities for the better if we pull together. We all have a role to play.” Bennum is currently seeking public support for his Mr Global South Africa campaign. Supporters can vote by sending “Win MGSA1” to 47439 (R3/SMS) or follow him on Facebook at “Bennum Master of Ceremonies.” Additional information is available on his website, www.bennum.co.za.
