Meet the first #TheBachelorSA

Lee Thompson. Picture: Supplied

Lee Thompson. Picture: Supplied

Published Oct 8, 2018

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Former rugby player and businessman Lee Thompson is South Africa's first Bachelor. 

Lee is an accomplished all-rounder. He is a former Sharks rugby player and an entrepreneur with several successful business ventures on his resume. 

He also happens to be a sought-after international model, and when he’s not cutting deals or pumping iron in the gym, he dedicates his time to meaningful charity work.

So how did M-Net and production company Rapid Blue recruit Lee as The Bachelor?

“It was a tall order. Literally and figuratively speaking,” said Lani Lombard, M-Net’s Head of Publicity. 

"While the ladies could enter the show, it was up to us to find 'The Bachelor'. 

After many hours of scouting for the Mr Perfect, we came up with a solution – we asked the shortlisted ladies, who come from all walks of life, to list the attributes that would sway them to say “yes” when the question is popped, because after all, the show is supposed to lead to a marriage proposal". 

The wait is over! Presenting South Africa's very first Bachelor - Lee Thompson ( @lee_thompson_). Click here to get to know him better. #TheBachelorSA🌹

— M-Net (@MNet) October 7, 2018

According to Lombard the ladies all immediately had one very specific request: he had to be tall. 

And Lee, at 1.88m, socks and all, fits the bill. The diverse group of 25 ladies from across South Africa representing our rainbow nation can comfortably wear their high heels when they want to sweep him off his feet. His height came in handy on the rugby field. H

e got his first major break in the Varsity Cup-winning Tuks team; then he captained the Blue Bulls U19 before switching to the Sharks, for whom he played at U21 and senior level.

The next requirement was "kind-hearted", followed by  "adventurous", "generous", "financially independent" and "fun". And it wouldn’t hurt if he was easy on the eye. Lee ticked the boxes, one and all.

Financially independent? Heck, yeah. He owns and operates a cleaning company called Clean Smart and the website development business Skyler Web. Before he ventured into modelling, he also owned a gym. Lee’s other major passion is philanthropy. He founded the non-profit organization #LiveHopeLoveSA.

And, how does Lee feel about stepping into the role of South Africa’s first Bachelor?

“My life goal is to have an amazing family life and, yes, I do know that this is an unusual way to find true love, but something deep inside me tells me that the universe is going to give me what I need right now - the woman of my dreams. I can’t wait to meet and get to know the 25 ladies. Chemistry often works in mysterious ways and I have no preconceived ideas about who I want to spend the rest of my life with", he said. 

The Bachelor will only meet the ladies once filming commences. The show will be screened on M-Net 101 from Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2019.

Fans can visit  www.mnet.tv/thebachelorsa and follow all the breaking news and conversations around the show on Twitter @MNet / #TheBachelorSA and on the official M-Net Facebook page.

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