All hail Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride 2026
The Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride pageant saw Adrian Oktober and Larissa Gordon being crowned King and Queen. Long may they reign!
It’s official, folks: Adrian Oktober and Larissa Gordon have joined the ranks of Cape Town Pride royalty.
The eighth annual Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride pageant took place at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone this past weekend, Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Nineteen hopefuls vied for the titles of King and Queen. In the end, Oktober and Gordon walked away with these crown-studded appellations, respectively.
LONG LIVE MR CAPE TOWN PRIDE
Competing across two rounds – Swimwear and Evening Wear – the twelve male contestants were whittled down to four finalists.
In the end, Adrian Oktober won over the judging panel with his heartfelt answers about advocating for South Africa’s queer community. Runners-up Rick Botha and Fred Mark Damons were crowned 1st and 2nd Princes, respectively.
Following his triumphant evening, Oktober took to Facebook to gush about his win. The newly crowned king also doubled down on his stance:
Coming from a small town like Oudtshoorn, where our people are not always educated on queer life matters and where so many of us still seek validation from the wrong forces, I knew I had to become the beacon of hope I once needed. To all my queers back home – this is our time. We are not asking for permission anymore. We are claiming our space, and we are taking over, unapologetically.
‘THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM’
Having competed twice before in this pageant, Larissa Gordon brought poise, class and readiness on her third go-round.
Like the men, seven contestants competed in the Swimwear and Evening Wear categories before four finalists were chosen. In the end, Gordon was crowned Queen, with Valentina Petronella and Sheezah Star named 1st and 2nd Princesses, respectively.
Gordon wrote on Instagram:
Stepping into this new chapter as Miss Cape Town Pride 2026 feels surreal. This dream has been prayed over, worked for, and quietly hoped for. But this title is more than a crown. It’s responsibility, visibility and service. As an educator and someone rooted in this community, I know leadership isn’t about being seen; it’s about ensuring others are.
My reign will be guided by love, authenticity and empowerment. And yes, the third time truly was the charm.
You can catch Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride 2026 in person at this year’s Pride parade and Mardi Gras in the Mother City next Saturday, 28 February 2026.
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