Miss Universe 2019 Winner is Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa

26-year old, dark-skinned beauty with natural hair, Zozibini Tunzi was crowned as Miss Universe 2019. The pageant was held on December 8th at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States. Tunzi who is from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape had previously been crowned Miss South Africa 2019 and is the third woman from the country to win the Miss Universe title. She is the first black woman to earn the title since Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011.

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The pageant was not only a unique display of beauty but also brains as well. During the competition, the contestants were asked various questions about issues such as climate change and reproductive health. They were also required to give their opinion on a single question: “What is the most important thing we should teach young girls today?”

Here is what Zonzibini Tunzi had to say…

“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to but because of what society has labelled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity and that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space, nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself, thank you.”

You can watch the reactions from all the final contestants in the video below.

Although Tunzi’s response was booksmart, this is not the only way in which she has shown her passion for women’s empowerment. Her short bio for the Miss Universe website reads, “Zozibini Tunzi is a passionate activist and engaged in the fight against gender based violence. She has devoted her social media campaign to changing the narrative around gender stereotypes. She is a proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.”

Prior on Women’s Day and as quoted by IOL, she shared about what the day commemorating the day meant for her. “The misconception about women empowerment is that it means giving power to women; that isn’t its purpose – women already have the power, women empowerment is about enhancing and encouraging those deep reservoirs of power,” said Zozibini Tunzi, who is from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape.

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Tunzi also uses fashion to showcase her passion for women. Three months before Miss Universe, Zozibini traveled to New York City for the first time where she walked the runway at NYFW for Maxhosa – a fashion label from South African designer, Laduma Ngxokolo. There she opened the show walking to a choral tune of the South African anthem in an embroidered black and white dress inspired by the Nguni and Mbo tribes. Tunzi had also launched a “HeforShe” campaign where she asked South African men to write love letters to women as their pledge of support against femicide and gender-based violence. Designed by Lloyd Kandlin, the letters were then added to her national costume for the Miss Universe pageant and was called “Wave of Love.”

In an interview with the Expresso Show, Tunzi mentioned that she believes women should be comfortable with who they are. Tunzi’s big win is great for all black women everywhere. The grace with which she carries herself and flaunts her natural hair is an inspiration. It comes naturally for her as she does not have to pretend and therefore, young black women everywhere can look up to her instead of following other standards for beauty often portrayed by the media.

Miss Universe 2019 is more than a pretty face. Born on September 18, 1993, her pageantry career kicked off in 2017, after being accepted that year as part of the top 26 at Miss South Africa. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and image management from Cape Peninsula University of Technology. When she isn’t working or training for pageants, Tunzi tells the world she enjoys snuggling up with her favorite television show. She jokes, “When I like to pretend I’m doing something productive, I will go hiking.”

My opinion? I felt it was a good idea to close the year with a feel-good story about a woman of the year who is doing great things for African and black beauty. I love Tunzi’s personality as there is just something so warm and authentic about her. I think that people can see through that into her soul. Her passion for women and girls is contagious and I am inspired by the fact that she is using her platform to change people’s lives.

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What do you think of Miss Universe 2019’s passion for empowering women?

Jamila Kyari

I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!

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