SOUTH AFRICA has made world news once again with the crowning of the gorgeous Zozibini Tunzi, our reigning Miss South Africa, as Miss Universe 2019.
The pageant was hosted by Steve Harvey at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. The 26-year-old Miss South Africa received roaring applause after her closing statement: “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair, was never considered to be beautiful,” she said. “I think that it is time that that stops today.”
When Harvey asked her what the most important thing was that we should be teaching young girls today, Tunzi replied that it should be “leadership”.
“It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings [in] the world and that we should be given every opportunity.” She added that young girls should be taught to “take up space” in society.
Final Word: SOUTH AFRICA#MissUniverse2019 LIVE on @FOXtv. Airing in Spanish on @Telemundo. pic.twitter.com/kk1ySPXxXU
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019
Tunzi is the third Miss South Africa to wear the Miss Universe crown. Previous Miss SA winners include Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017. She beat runner up Miss Puerto Rico, Madison Anderson, 24, and fan favourite Miss Mexico, Sofia Aragon, 25.
Watch the crowning of Miss Universe below:
South Africans have taken to their social media to congratulate the 68th Miss Universe.
Proudly South African! 🇿🇦
Congratulations to #ZozibiniTunzi on being crowned #MissUniverse2019
The nation is proud of you @zozitunzi https://t.co/4ugFySp0gc
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 9, 2019
If this is not proof that “Black child, your Dreams are valid”, then I don’t know what is.
♥️#MissUniverse2019 #ZozibiniTunzi #RugbyWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/Yj7OZ6VPU7— Tebogo Mphahlele🇿🇦 (@Tebo_Mphahlele) December 9, 2019
For every life lost to femicide; for the blood running in out streets; for a govt doing seemingly nothing about it; then the Lord sends us this. A voice for the voiceless. A woman of integrity, intelligence and courage. There is hope for us, South Africa.#ZozibiniTunzi pic.twitter.com/INSBS0UhwM
— Simoné Pretorius (@simonenortmnn) December 9, 2019
#MissUniverseSouthAfrica #MissUniverse2019 #ZozibiniTunzi
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mzansi’s Miss Universe
📹missuniverse pic.twitter.com/WIpRM9GACd
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) December 9, 2019
Zozi being crowned on her graduation day is the content I signed up for 😍#MissUniverse2019 #ZozibiniTunzi
— Ms Africa🍂 (@nolt_love) December 9, 2019
She's not just queen of the world, but South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi is THE QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE!! Make this trend go through the stratosphere!! Huge congratulations!! 🎉🇿🇦👑 #ZozibiniTunzi #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/jRVBo91g8u
— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) December 9, 2019
#MissUniverseSouthAfrica #MissUniverse2019 #ZozibiniTunzi
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mzansi’s Miss Universe
📹missuniverse pic.twitter.com/WIpRM9GACd
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) December 9, 2019
MISS UNIVERSE 2019 ✨ | OFFICIAL RESULT
Congratulations. 👑
Winner : SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦
1st Run-up : PUERTO RICO 🇵🇷
2nd Run-up : MEXICO 🇲🇽TOP 5 : COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
and THAILAND 🇹🇭 #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/F3TCZ2lZou— Pathitta Kaiykeaw. (@pathitta1978) December 9, 2019
Dear daughters of Africa, today the Queen of the universe looks like you. #ZozibiniTunzi 🇿🇦 👑#MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/WzXHQA6ApT
— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego) December 9, 2019
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, MISS SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦
Newly-crowned Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi’s final statement centers on celebrating all forms of beauty. #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/GcmGTxdpZ3
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) December 9, 2019
South Africa is so beautiful and diverse 🇿🇦❤️ #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/nW8PhuPxYR
— Lebo. (@LeboMashego_) December 9, 2019
