Miss World pageant moved to Johannesburg

Wednesday, 03 September 2008

Source: BuaNews Online

Johannesburg - Famous around the globe for its ability to put together classy events, Johannesburg has been given an opportunity to host this year's Miss World pageant.

This will be the sixth time that the City of Gold hosts the prestigious event, reports the Gauteng Provincial Government.

Organisers decided to change the previous location of Kiev in the Ukraine, after concerns about the conflict in nearby Georgia.

Johannesburg Tourism confirmed that the competition, scheduled for 13 December 2008, will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Johannesburg Tourism Company's Chief Executive, Lindiwe Mahlangu said a number of host cities were invited to submit proposals to host the event.

This included "details of hotels, a suitable venue to stage the event and the backing of all parties necessary to stage a successful world-classy event".

Miss World Ltd Chairperson, Julia Morley, said she was impressed by Johannesburg's bid, noting the speed with which the city implemented its proposal and its professionalism.

"This demonstrates that we can stage a successful Miss World in Johannesburg," she said.

The current South African queen, Tansy Coetzee, will be competing for the title held by Miss World 2007, Zin Lin Zhang, of China.

Ms Coetzee would be looking to emulate former South African Miss World title-holders Penny Coelen and Anneline Kriel who claimed the title in 1958 and 1974 respectively. - BuaNews