World-class city for Miss World again

Ksenia Sukhinova, Miss World 2008/2009.

Following Joburg's successful hosting of this international beauty spectacular last year, 120 participants, each representing her respective country, will arrive in Joburg on 14 November for a month of preparations prior to the finals. They will be accommodated at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosebank.

Now in its 59th year, the Miss World contest is reputed to be the world's biggest annual television event, with a global television audience of more than a billion viewers. The two-hour finale will be broadcast live via satellite, starting at 5pm South African time on SABC3 and will feature performances by an array of South African and international artists. Audiences can expect an extravaganza, starring the world's most beautiful women and displaying 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 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 JTC the opportunity to market tourism and the city to countries and people it would otherwise not be able to talk to,” continues Mahlangu. “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 chairperson 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 this will be an event to make us all proud.”

Event organiser geared up

Planning an event of the calibre of Miss World is no mean feat and this production will be in the hands of event managers Sail, at the well-equipped Gallagher Estate Convention Centre.

“The logistics of managing and staging such a global entertainment event, as well as the preliminary contests and excursions, are an exciting challenge and we look forward to being involved,” remarked Danie Jansen van Vuuren, MD of SAIL Sport & Entertainment on its appointment as event agency.

“We are confident that we will be able to reflect a positive image of South Africa, throughout the management of this event and that we will again be able to show that South African event companies are up to international eventing standards. The partners we are utilising on this project are some of the best in the industry and we hope to leave a legacy for the industry through the successful delivery of this event.”

Miss World pre-show events

In the run-up to the final show, the contestants also participate and compete in a number of mini-events. These will include the Miss World Beach Beauty contest and the Miss World Talent Show, the Miss World Sportswoman event, hosted by the Eastern Cape Tourism Board and will be on hand to participate in the excitement when the World Cup draw takes place In Cape Town on 4 December.

Local designers dazzle

South African designers are regarded as among the most innovative in the world, and they will be displaying their dazzling creations on an international platform during the Miss World Fashion show at the official opening of the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi, which hosts the Miss World competitors from 11-13 November.

Here RjKay Creations, together with seven other local designers, Kluk CGDT, J J Schoeman and Marc and Michael to name a few, will dress the contestants for the Miss World Fashion show. The dresses will also be showcased locally on 28 November at Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg.

RjKay, made up of Reginald Molamu and Paledi Segapo, said "We have worked hard over the last two years to highlight not only our brand but our unique style and the Miss World pageant organisers have seen that and presented us with an opportunity we could not miss!"

They are not only dressing the Miss World contestants for their fashion show but are also creating a garment for current Miss SA Tatum Keshwar, a hot favourite, to compete in the competition in December. RjKay also dressed Tatum for her Miss Universe 2009 appearance.