Beauty vs the not so beautiful![](https://biz-file.com/b/0911/34768.jpg?1) South Africa will for the second consecutive year host the 2009 Miss World pageant. Some believe the event is outdated and degrading to women while others see it as an opportunity for women to contribute meaningfully to the world through the charities supported by the Miss World Organisation; it has raised more than £250 million for children's charities in its 58-year run. While most of the contestants' answers revolve around world peace and saving the planet, both wonderful endeavours, the whole cattle-parading of women who are considered 'beautiful' by a panel of 'qualified' judges does seem like an antiquated event in our modern world. Beauty, in any instance, is subjective and perhaps choosing ambassadors to spread goodwill for one's country should be based principally on character and aptitude rather than appearance. Nonetheless, it is great to note that South Africa is very capable of hosting an international event, ahead of the World Cup with 199 days to kick-off. While Miss World cannot compare to the grand scale of the FIFA World Cup, the fact that the Miss World Organisation has entrusted the event to the country for a second year is confirmation of SA's ability as a host nation. Sindy Peters, content manager
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2010 FIFA World Cup
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40739.jpg) On Thursday, 19 November 2009, South Africans woke to news that all 32 teams for the 2010 FIFA World Cup have now qualified - with Uruguay, the first country to host and win a World Cup, the last to secure their spot, in the early hours of the morning. Read more >>![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40743.jpg) PRETORIA: The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) tasked to oversee government's preparation for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup has expressed satisfaction at the progress made ahead of the tournament. Read more >>Digital
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40750.jpg) WASHINGTON: Online auction giant eBay announced on Thursday, 19 November 2009, it had completed its sale of Skype to an investment group that includes the two founders of the Web communications company. Read more >>TOKYO: Sony Corp aims to launch next year a new online service that will allow people to download content such as music and movies to their televisions and other electronic gadgets, a top executive said on Friday, 20 November 2009. Read more >>Eventing
[Proffesor Ndawonde] PRETORIA: President Jacob Zuma believes that the Miss World contestants can play a significant role in addressing challenges facing the world. Read more >>Media
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40749.gif) HARARE: Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AFRIMAP), Open Society Initiative Southern Africa (OSISA), Open Society Institute Media Programme (OSIMP), in conjunction with MISA-Zimbabwe launched a report based on a survey entitled “Public Broadcasting In Africa Series” on 18 November 2009 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harare. Read more >>![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40745.jpg) WASHINGTON: Naziha Réjiba, editor of the Tunisian online news journal Kalima, said she knows what to expect when she returns home — surveillance, harassment, and threats conducted by one the world's most repressive governments. Read more >>Newspapers
LUSAKA: David Simusamba on 17 November 2009 appeared in court to answer to the charges of contempt of court leveled against him and the Post newspaper. He is being charged with one count of contempt of court contrary to Section 116 of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. Read more >>Retail
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/40747.jpg) ROME: Libya and the FAO plan to work closely together over the next five years to strengthen food security and sustainable development in the country. Read more >>ROME: The assistant secretary-general of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Domingos Caholo, has called for an institutional reform in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to ensure better implementation of its programmes. Read more >>TV
NEWSWATCH: Kenyan satirist, Godfrey "Gado" Mwampembwa, is causing major waves amongst politicians in the East African country with his creation, The XYZ Show, according to Mail & Guardian Online. Read more >>Radio
CVC Media Africa invites fellow broadcasters to attend the first annual African Media Summit, taking place in Cape Town from 8 to 12 February 2010. Read more >>Blogging 101 Jayz Internet Solutions - Cape Town, 2 December "A house of brands is like a family, each needs a role and a relationship to others." - Jeffrey Sinclair
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