 | January 8th Miss World contest makes waves across the globe |
Miss World 2009 attracted attention from world leaders as well as core media publications from around the world. Here is a selection of what they had to say about the 2009 Miss World contest.
President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma
“The Miss World Contest brings nations of the world together and is an important platform for promoting unity and togetherness amongst all of us. There are many challenges facing the world such as poverty, disease and conflicts. Our Miss World contestants and national queens can play an important role in raising awareness about these ills and promote action for peace, love, togetherness and prosperity. This contest also promotes economic activity, especially tourism, amongst world nations and encourages people to people contact and cooperation.”
Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana
“And the year ended in unimaginably proud and happy manner with the extraordinary success of Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, being crowned Miss World. We promised her a homecoming fit for a Queen, and that is what she rightly got. Our collective joy was not just for her huge personal achievement, but also for the huge success for Gibraltar in a global event.”
Financial Times
”South Africa's track record in hosting The 2009 Miss World pageant has helped tourism to offset the impact of the global economic downturn.”
MSN.com
“Miss World 2009 gave viewers a memorable and entertainment-packed two hours. Every year, there are young women who gaze longingly at their television screens and hope they will someday be in the place of that gorgeous woman on the screen who is the epitome of beauty with brains.”
Sky News
“Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar was named the new Miss World at a two-hour pageant that put South Africa in the spotlight and featured traditional dancers and drummers. The brunette, dressed in white-lace evening gown, was crowned as silver confetti rained down onstage around her.”
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Associated Press
“Saturday's show, which was televised across the world, gave a taste of South Africa's rich cultural heritage and natural attractions. The 112 contestants were welcomed at the start by Zulu dancers and the ululating African female performers. There were clips from the finalists’ time in South Africa — showing the beauties cuddling cheetahs and lions, on pristine white beaches and even playing soccer.”
AFP
“African drums, gumboot dancers, choirs and a pop band performed during the contest held in Midrand, north of Johannesburg and which was broadcast to an estimated one billion viewers around the world.”
The Economic Times
“It was for the first time in the history of Miss World that apart from the regular introduction of the beauty queens, they were also given a chance to present their culture to the world with a stint of their national dance. The participants set the stage on fire clad in their national costumes.”
The Times of India
“Miss India took home the prestigious Beauty With A Purpose - this special annual award programme chooses Miss World contestants who have shown, through charitable works, to have made a real difference to people in need in her country.”
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