Organisers of the Miss World 2008 beauty pageant were so impressed with South Africa's hosting of the event last year they made the decision to return in 2009 — before Russian beauty Ksenia Sukhinova was even crowned last year.

It didn't hurt that South Africa was the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup — with the world's attention gradually turning to Mzansi what better sight to greet everyone than over 100 of the most beautiful women in the world?

So for the second year in a row, the city of Johannesburg will host the Miss World final on Saturday, 12 December, and once again SABC3 will be the official broadcaster.

120 participants, each representing her respective country, will arrive in Joburg on 14 November for a month of preparations prior to the glittering final at Gallagher Convention Centre on 12 December.

Now in its 59th year, the Miss World contest is the world's biggest annual television event, with a global television audience of more than a billion viewers. The two-hour final will be broadcast live via satellite, starting at 5pm local time.

Audiences across the world will watch the world's most beautiful women showcasing the many facets of the city of Joburg — which will also play host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup.

Lindiwe Mahlangu, CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, said Joburg was thrilled to be welcoming the Miss World contestants for the second consecutive year.

"As a world-class city, we are proud to be staging yet another world-class event in the form of Miss World 2009," she commented.

"The event carries great opportunity and prestige for a host city and promotes the country globally with positive effects stimulating tourism, investment and economic development.

"The contest provides Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) the opportunity to market tourism and the City to countries and people it would otherwise not be able to talk to.

"Before Miss World 2008, Joburg was ranked at number 152 by the International Congress and Convention Association but jumped 33 places to 120 after the event".

Miss World Organisation Chairman Julia Morley had nothing but praise for the country's efforts:

"South Africa has shown that it knows how to welcome the world with warmth and pride that is hard to match," she said. "We are delighted to return to this nation of great natural beauty and wonderfully kind and welcoming people.

"We are supremely confident that Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg will be an event to make us all proud."

In the run-up to the live final show on 12 December, the contestants also participate and compete in a number of mini-festivals.

These will include the Miss World Beach Beauty contest, during which the beauties will strut their stuff in beach attire; and the Miss World Talent Show, when they'll be demonstrating their individual talents and abilities.

South African designers will be displaying their creations on an international platform during the Miss World Fashion.

The popular Miss World Sportswoman event, hosted by the Eastern Cape Tourism Board, will see the ladies taking part in a series of challenges that will test their sportsmanship and agility.

As World Cup fever mounts, the contestants will be steeped in the Beautiful Game during the month prior to the finale. They will be on hand to participate in the excitement when the World Cup draw takes place in Cape Town on 4 December 2009.

They will also experience the distinctive sights and sounds of Joburg, from the vibe of Soweto to the buzz of the city, from conservation projects to charity initiatives, and will be accommodated at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosebank.

Charity is a major component of Miss World, with its "Beauty for a Purpose" theme finding resonance in the many international causes for which it raises funds. In Africa, Miss World has donated millions of rand to charities such as Operation Hunger and the Nelson Mandela Trust.

South Africans will no doubt be rooting for leggy Durban lass Tatum Keshwar, following the Top 5 placing achieved by Tansey Coetzee last year.

The live broadcast of the Miss World final — featuring performances by an array of South African and international artists — will air on SABC3 on Saturday 12 December 2009, at 5pm.

Article provided by www.tvsa.co.za


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