South African has welcomed 112 of the world's most beautiful women to its shores in the build-up to the Miss World pageant taking place at Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Centre on 13 December.
The 112 Miss World 2008 contestants made their first appearance in fine style at a black tie banquet held to welcome them to Johannesburg on Monday.
Johannesburg beat Seoul, London, Hong Kong and China's San Yang Island to win the hosting rights to the event after it was moved from Kiev over fears of political instability in Ukraine's neighbouring South Ossetia and Russia.
The show will be broadcast live to over two billion people in almost 220 countries, giving South Africa and Johannesburg massive worldwide television exposure.
Significant economic and tourism spin-offs are also expected to flow from the event, which will offer a showcase for the country's unique fashion and jewellery.
The contestants will be involved in a number of high-profile events in the lead-up to the final pageant. Their itinerary includes a charity ball, a photo shoot at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge, a tree planting in Soweto and a Hospice visit on World Aids Day.
Created in 1951, the Miss World pageant is the oldest major international beauty pageant. It is owned and managed by UK-based Miss World Limited.
"The show we are going to have here will be the best," Miss World Limited co-founder and chairperson Julia Morley said in September, on the announcement of Johannesburg's winning bid.
Morley said it was the rich cultures and endless possibilities of Johannesburg that set the city apart.
She also said Miss World Limited would be making use of top South African designers, including majority black-owned jewellery company African Romance, to dress and adorn the contestants.
Since its launch, the Miss World pageant has raised over £250-million (about R3.75-billion) for children's charities through its charity vehicle, Beauty with a Purpose.
Johannesburg Tourism Company CEO Lindiwe Mahlangu, speaking at a press conference on Saturday to welcome reigning Miss World Zi Ling Zhang to the city, said Miss World 2008 would have a direct impact on a number of local organisations, "ranging from those focused on the empowerment of disabled people to those whose mission is to better the lives of troubled youth."
South Africa has hosted the event successfully on three previous occasions - in 1992, 1995 and 2001, at the Sun City entertainment and casino resort in North West province.
Source: City of Johannesburg
Steuart has done some 500 talks on South Africa's progress since 1994 and SA's prospects for the future' 
