- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Miss World contestants visit historical township of Soweto
- Date: 23rd November 2009
- Summary: SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA (NOVEMBER 21, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE OF SOWETO WITH TOWERS VARIOUS OF HECTOR PETERSON MEMORIAL MONUMENT MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS AT THE MEMORIAL AND MEDIA TAKING VISUALS SOWETO WOMAN GIVING CONTESTANTS HISTORY LESSON ABOUT JUNE 16 VARIOUS OF CONTESTANTS AS LECTURE PROCEEDS MORE OF HECTOR PETERSON MEMORIAL MONUMENT MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS SOUTH AFRICA, TATUM KESHWAR, SAYING "I will definitely do my best and utmost to win that crown but regardless of the outcome is I think it will be a victory for South Africa being able to showcase a world class event as well as hosting the 2010 World Cup next year, we couldn't ask for more as a country." VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE NEWLY UNVEILED PARK MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS WALKING FROM THE BUSES SMALL CROWD OF SOWETO RESIDENTS ULULATING MISS SOUTH AFRICA FLANKED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS AND OTHER MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS TO CUT RIBBON AS PARK OPENS OFFICIALLY MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS LINED UP FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY VARIOUS OF MISS WORLD CONTESTANTS PLANTING TREES (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS BOTSWANA, SUMAIYA MAROPE, SAYING "Hey, it's a good place, it's a lovely place, it's a historical place, it's one of the best places I've ever been in in South Africa." CLOSE UP ON TWO SEATED CONTESTANTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS MALAYSIA, THANUJA ANANTHAN, SAYING "People are amazing, I'm really touched more than anything, I'm really humbled. It's a beautiful place." CONTESTANTS WALKING, PAN TO ORLANDO STADIUM IN BACKGROUND
- Embargoed: 8th December 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVADW0JRXOYTCK3B0Q6IPE9MFWNK
- Story Text: The 2009 Miss World contestants on Saturday (November 21) descended upon Soweto's Hector Peterson memorial to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the June 16, 1976 uprising.
The 112 beauty queens from all over the globe were given a short history lesson on the events of June 16 1976 and also participated in the unveiling of a new recreational park in Orlando West, Soweto. There, they planted trees and enjoyed entertainment by a group of children from a local school.
Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, said hosting the event was a coup for South Africa as the country is also due to host the FIFA World Cup 2010.
"I will definitely do my best and utmost to win that crown but regardless of what the outcome is I think it will be a victory for South Africa being able to showcase a world class event as well as hosting the 2010 World Cup next year, we couldn't ask for more as a country." Keshwar said.
Other contestants said they were humbled to be in Soweto, a township that is widely acknowledged as the hotbed for the South African struggle against apartheid.
"Hey, it's a good place, it's a lovely place, it's a historical place, it's one of the best places I've ever been in in South Africa." said Miss Botswana, Sumaiya Marope.
"People are amazing, I'm really touched more than anything, I'm really humbled. It's a beautiful place." Miss Malaysia Thanuja Ananthan said.
The contestants will on December 12 2009 compete for the Miss World crown in Johannesburg, which hosts the event for the second consecutive year. This, the 59th annual pageant, marks the biggest turnout in its history. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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