For the second year in a row, the city of Johannesburg will host the Miss World final on Saturday, 12 December. Following Johannesburg’s successful hosting of the international beauty spectacular last year, the search for the world’s most beautiful woman returns to the city of gold.

120 participants, each representing her respective country, will arrive in Johannesburg 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 17:00 South African time on Saturday, 12 December.

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 Johannesburg – which will also play host to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Lindiwe Mahlangu, CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, said Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg 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, Johannesburg 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 said: “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.”

Look out for current Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar, who will be vying with the world’s greatest beauties for the mantle of Miss World and will no doubt be a hot local favourite to take over the crown from the current Miss World, Russia’s Ksenia Sukhinova.

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 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.

They will also experience the distinctive sights and sounds of Johannesburg, from the vibe of Soweto to the buzz of the city, from conservation projects to charity initiatives, and will be accommodated in style 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 rands to charities such as Operation Hunger and the Nelson Mandela Trust.

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

“The logistics of managing and staging such a mammoth 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, Managing Director of SAIL Sport & Entertainment on their 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.”

The live broadcast of the Miss World final on Saturday, 12 December at 17:00 on SABC 3 will feature performances by an array of South African and international artists, and promises to be a glamorous occasion, showcasing the world’s loveliest women and Johannesburg’s most fascinating attributes.

For more information, visit www.joburgtourism.com or www.missworld.com.