I can’t believe it’s been a year since I last took my kit off for Marie Claire! And boy is this year’s issue an absolute corker – all in support of the SPCA! Not only will you see my fine mound, but I will be with the rest of the 2oceansvibe Radio crew – on a beach, no less! Oh, and check this out – I can also report that this year’s issue also features La Muse from PopYaCollar, as well as Alex from CapeTownGirl! I swear! Click link for more inside info + VIDEO!

Marie Claire Naked for furry friends
27 local celebrities dare to go bare in support of the NSPCA

Marie Claire’s annual Naked issue, on sale from 16 February, is set to raise some eyebrows and possibly some whiskers as 27 celebrities take a naked stand against animal cruelty and mistreatment. Aimed at raising awareness about social issues affecting South Africans, Marie Claire’s annual Naked campaign has become one of the most talked-about issues on the magazine calendar year.

This year Marie Claire and celebrity friends support the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). Apart from featuring the celebrities in the nude with either their favourite pets or rescued pets, the magazine is also planning a fundraising picnic for Saturday, 5 March where funds will be raised for the NSPCA.

“Human abuse of animals in SA makes for grim statistical reading and reflects on our tragic past; if human life counted for so little it’s no surprise that animal lives became almost worthless,” says Aspasia Karras, editor of Marie Claire. “SA’s quadrupeds cannot help themselves, but we can, and in helping them we restore our humanity. We can’t all be St Francis of Assisi – I have adopted two fox terriers from the NSPCA and I am often brought to the end of my patience by the two of them, but living with them has made me an infinitely better human, certainly a more tolerant one.”

Celebs taking part in the campaign include
Actress Tanit Phoenix photographed in Los Angeles with rescue dog Sampson
5FM DJ and Supersport presenter Sias du Plessis with rescue dog Tod
Freediver Hanli Prinsloo with her dog Mila
5FM DJ Euphonik with rescue dog Kyron
Gold medallist SA swimmer, Cameron van den Bergh, with rescue dog Pippa
Generations actress, Kagiso Rakosa, with rescue dog Shadow
Griquas wing Rocco Jansen, with his dog Georgie
Model Shashi Naidoo
2OceansVibe bloggers and radio DJs Seth Rotherham, Ryan Scott, Socrates Georgiades, Richard Hardiman, Bruce Good and Luca Vincezo, with their dog Marvel
YFM DJ and TV presenter Dineo Ranaka
Bloggers Allegro Dinkwanyane from Faraitoday.com and Lelo Boyana from Justcurious.co.za with rescue dog Fifi
On-line networkers Alex van Tonder a.k.a. Cape Town Girl (Capetowngirl.co.za), Kim Gray (Kimgray.co.za) and Samantha Walker a.k.a. La Muse (Popyacollar.co.za) with Viva
Hip-hop musician JR with rescue dog Tippex
Rob van Vuuren and Louw Venter (Cornè and Twakkie) with Hobbes, Beth and Bella
Actress and Pasella presenter Vicky Davis with rescue dog Bart
5FM DJ and MK presenter Elma Smit with rescue cat Kermit
Isidingo actress Hlubi Mboya with her boyfriend Kirsten Arnold with rescue dog Tsunami

“It is tremendous to see so many people being so supportive of the protection of our animals and showing care and compassion,” says Chris Kuch, PR manager for the NSPCA. “We are delighted to be part of the campaign to pull together and to make South Africa a better place for all our animals. Together we can make a real and lasting difference.”

The mission of the SPCA movement in South Africa is to prevent cruelty to animals and ensure their welfare. It enforces over 90 per cent of the animal welfare legislation in South Africa. Over the past year:
24 972 animals were adopted from the SPCAs nationwide
17 655 lost or runaway pets that were taken into the care of the SPCAs were reclaimed by their owners
50 212 inspections were carried out by the SPCA movement
2 major outreach projects were conducted by the NSPCA. These aimed to rescue, sterilize, vaccinate, deworm and medically treat animals in areas that have no access to the help of the individual SPCAs or veterinaray services
It can cost from R60 000 to R180 000 a month to operate one small to medium-sized SPCA
For more information visit www.nspca.co.za

To find out what motivated these celebs to join the campaign pick up the March issue of Marie Claire magazine, on sale from 16 February.

CLICK HERE for a VIDEO glimpse behind the scenes at this year’s shoot!

On shelves any day!