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After 14 weeks of non-stop action, the time has come to announce the winner of SABC3’s BAR-ONE Manhunt reality show: Johannesburg salesman Clint de Beer!

Clint (34) pipped fellow finalists Kabelo Thathe, Quinten Coetzer, Collin Allin, Brandon Sacks and Gareth Brauteseth to the post in a dramatic, action-packed studio finale, before a live audience.

“When Ursula (Stapelfeldt, the show’s host) announced my name as the winner I almost fainted, because I was up against some tough competition – and I knew that there were a couple of finalists who really had the public backing them for the win,” confesses an elated Clint.

It’s been quite a ride since Clint and 13 other aspirant 25-hour-a-day men took on the BAR-ONE Manhunt in January. In that time they have climbed Africa’s tallest peak, Kilimanjaro, skydived and done aerobatics, made their own action movies, gone off-roading, raced camels in Dubai, completed an obstacle course, jumped into thin air above the Victoria Falls and gone white-water rafting, among other adventures.

They’ve shown their genteel side, too, by hosting their own cocktail party, and their caring side, when they renovated a home for children with special needs.

“Being a part of the show was a life-changing experience, because I was able to do things that I would probably never have had the opportunity to do – and I also found out that it is possible to achieve anything that you put your mind to,” says Clint, who has long struggled to find his niche in life.

“I have done many different things in my life in search of my big moment and have struggled to find out where I fitted in and what career path to choose. I have worked in retail, as a salesman, a casting director, an airport shuttle driver and now reality TV show contestant, which is by far the best choice that I have made.

“Being crowned as the first BAR-ONE Man is a privilege and an honour, and I cannot wait to find out what the future has in store for me. One thing is for sure: I’m going to grab each and every opportunity with both hands!”

Clint says his wife, two sons and his family, who have supported him all the way and are largely responsible for him winning because they are his biggest fans, are “extremely proud” of his achievement.

“I dedicate this win to everybody who believed in me, and to everyone who put up with my constant campaigning and endless requests for more votes,” he says.

Clint also pays tribute to his fellow contestants and the BAR-ONE Manhunt crew: “I would welcome the opportunity to do this all over again because even though I have won the competition, I will miss being around such talented and professional individuals. There were times when I thought that  I would not make it, and there would always be somebody who would encourage me to dig a little deeper and find the strength to push even harder – and that is what got me to the end.”

BAR-ONE Manhunt producer Francois van Wyk says Clint is a deserving winner, having shown his mettle throughout the series.

“Having worked so closely with the guys all throughout the show really gave me the inside scoop as I got to see them grow, change and develop. Every one of them was a potential winner, but Clint really showed that he had what it took to take top honours. He’s determined, rock-solid and straight down the line – and he captured the public imagination. That’s why he is a worthy BAR-ONE Man, and I am thrilled for him.”

The BAR-ONE Manhunt is one most exciting activities she has ever undertaken, but it was also a major leap of faith, quips relieved BAR-ONE brand manager Monique Koning.

“It is scary when you really have no guarantee that things will be a success, but I must say that looking back, the show has exceeded all my expectations and turned out to be more successful than I could have ever imagined.

“In hindsight, there is only one thing that I would change about the show – and that is that it could have been longer!”

ENDS