Young girl savours photo with Miss World beauties

Namhla Tshisela 16 November 2009
FLAG BEARERS: Miss France , Miss Dominican Republic and Miss Spain WOW: Miss Japan and Miss Korea admire art works in Rosebank. GOING DOWN: Miss World 2009 contestants in Rosebank on Saturday. AFRICAN CONNECTION: Some of Miss World contestants who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport for the final in Johannesburg were Miss Nigeria Glory Chuku, Miss Swaziland Nompilo Mncina, Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar and Miss Zambia Dorothy Mumba. PHOTOs: VELI NHLAPO AWESOME TRIO: Miss Uganda, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Zimbabwe World’s fairest lasses bowl over Joburg Never in her wildest dreams has Abiba Meyong imagined that she would have her photo taken with beauty queens from all over the world. “I thought I would only ever see them on TV,” Abiba said. The nine-year-old aspirant model was bowled over when she got to meet the Miss World finalists at the Rosebank arts and craft market yesterday. The beauties’ presence at the market attracted the attention of shoppers, who scrambled to have photos taken with them. The 113 finalists arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday. Twelve-year-old Claudia Smith said she would frame the two pages of messages signed by the finalists. “Stay sweet and smile always,” read one written by Miss Jamaica 2009, Kerrie Baylis. Looking splendid in a short yellow dress, Miss Uganda, Maria Namiiro, said she was excited to be in Johannesburg. The city of Johannesburg will host the Miss World pageant for the second time since its inception 59 years ago. The pageant will be broadcast live from the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on December 12. The contestants will travel to various parts of the country, such as Soweto and the Eastern Cape, for the Miss World World Talent Final and the Miss World Beach Beauty Final in KwaZulu-Natal before the grand spectacle. http://www.sowetan.co.za/