South Africa welcomes Miss World contestants
The 112 Miss World contestants were greeted on their arrival at Freedom Park, the venue for the official South African welcome, with traditional African drummers as they walked up into the courtyard. The contestants then had the opportunity to meet the newly crowned Miss Confidence, a South African beauty pageant that celebrates women with disabilities and the founder, Masingita Masunga, who herself suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
Hosted by the Guateng Tourism Agency, the Honourable Qedani Mahlangu, MEC for Local Government and Pule Malefane, Chief Operations Officer from the Gauteng Tourism Authority addressed the contestants and spoke about the vote of confidence that the Miss World Organisation had given by bringing the month-long festival to South Africa. After lunch the contestants were taken to the sanctuary element of Sikhumbuto in the park. Here they were entertained by dancing and a musical performance by Lira, a famous South African singer, who after inviting some audience participation had some competition on her hands from Miss Zambia who sung a beautiful melody. Freedom Park in Pretoria takes visitors on a tour of the tortuous journey and sacrifices made for freedom in South Africa.
