The statement said the 120 participants representing their respective countries are due in the city of gold on 14 November “for a month of preparations prior to the glittering final at Gallagher Convention Centre.”

There would be stage performances by an array of South African and international artists. The event would also showcase the world’s loveliest women and Joburg’s most fascinating attributes.

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 17h00 South African time.

Audiences across the world can expect a spectacular entertainment extravaganza, starring the world’s most beautiful women and showcasing the many facets of the city of Joburg – which will also play host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the statement added.

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.

Opportunities

“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 Mrs Julia Morley added: “South Africa has shown that it knows how to welcome the world with warmth and pride that is hard to match. 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.

The statement noted: “South African designers are regarded as among the most innovative in the world, and they’ll be displaying their dazzling 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.

Charity

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.