59th Miss World - 2009

The month-long tour of South Africa started on 14 November. 112 contestants touched down in Johannesburg to the sound of drummers, dancers and horn blowers.

Highlights included the Miss World Talent and Fashion shows and a tour of Soweto, where contestants were moved by historic significance of the district, as they toured the Regina Mundi church, the charter museum and the Nelson Mandela family home.

They were also honoured to walk the pitch at Soccer City, home to the World Cup Final 2010 with the girls dressed in gold sports attire to represent ‘City of Gold’ and the 32 world cup contestants dressed in their World cup jerseys.

In Pretoria, they met with President Jacob Zuma. The President of the Republic acknowledged the global impact of Miss World and encouraged the contestants to be ambassadors for peace and stability.

Three hundred children had a special surprise when the Miss World contestants made the children’s Christmas party extra special. Held at Johannesburg zoo, the afternoon in the sun turned into fun and games for the children from orphanages and day care centres as zoo wardens brought a selection of creatures to interact with their special guests. A good time was had by all as they played games, sang songs and took pictures together. After lunch the Miss World finalists signed autographs for their new friends.

Winner - GIBRALTAR - Kaiane ALDORINO

AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICA - Tatum Lucy KESHWAR

AMERICAS - MEXICO - Perla Judith BELTRAN

ASIA & OCEANIA - KOREA - Joori KIM

CARIBBEAN - MARTINIQUE - Ingrid ITTRÉ

EUROPE - GIBRALTAR - Kaiane ALDORINO

Winner - India

The 2009 Beauty With A Purpose Award went to India’s Pooja Chopra, who became involved with the work of Nanhi Kahli, a project which currently supports the education of over 50,800 underprivileged Indian young girls. She visited the largest house for unwanted girls in Asia and pledged to donate every penny she had raised as Miss India to providing them with a better education. The money that was raised went to providing teaching and recourses in the hope that they would never give up their dreams of blossoming into beautiful young women.

Watch the Miss World 2009 Beauty with a Purpose projects here

Canada and Sierra Leone shared joint first in the Miss World Talent Final. Opera singer Canada stunned the audience at the Victory Theatre, Johannesburg, while Sierra Leone drew gasps with her Chinese mask and fire-eating routine that had to be seen to be believed.

Contestants took to the catwalk not once but twice, before an invited audience of media and VIPs at the Turbine Hall. First they were seen in designer dresses from their home countries.

Contestants modelled exclusive golden creations by leading South African designers JJ Schoeman, Thula Sindi, Kluk CGdT, Marc & Michael, Haroun Hansrot, RJ Kay and Diamond Face Couture.

World Designer Award winner - Sierra Leone

Contestants battled it out on the pitch at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, competing in a series of athletic challenges for the title of Miss World Sports Woman. Japan excelled among a field of determined young sports women, winning herself a place in the Miss World semi final.

Dressed in gold swimwear designed by South Africa’s Dax Martin, contestants paraded at Zimbali resort, near Durban.

Winner - Gibraltar

Top 5 - Bolivia, France, Panama & Scotland