Miss SA Zozibini Tunzi crowned Miss Universe

Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi has been crowned Miss Universe after wowing crowds and the judges at the annual pageant in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear brown skinned girl, your dreams are valid. Dressed in @biji_la_maison 😍

A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:28pm PST

Hosted by American comedian Steve Harvey, the pageant saw contestants from 90 countries compete for the title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When your boss asks you why you’re late today, show them this. 😭

A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:52pm PST

 The final three consisted of Zozibini along with Puerto Rico’s Madison Anderson and Mexico’s Sofía Aragon.

The new #MissUniverse2019 is… SOUTH AFRICA!!!! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/gRW8vcuT3A

— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 9, 2019

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Nothing is as important as taking up space in the society and cementing yourself – @zozitunzi What a beautiful burning sun. I just have no words in the world. You are authentic, sincere and have a wonderful mind inside of you. You are of absolute greatness Miss Universe 2019 is South Africa. #missuniverse2019

A post shared by Thando Hopa (@thandohopa) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:47pm PST

During the final question component Zozi spoke about the importance of female leadership, and later, in her final statement, stressed the importance of representation:

‘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, and I think it is time that that stops, today. I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.’

Taking to Instagram after the win, she wrote:

‘Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it. May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine.

I proudly state my name, Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019!’

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it. May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine. I proudly state my name Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019!

A post shared by Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) on Dec 8, 2019 at 10:25pm PST

  Since winning the Miss South Africa pageant in August, the Eastern Cape beauty has used her platform to talk about important topics like natural beauty, self-love, equality and gender-based violence.

The 26-year-old is the third South African to win the title, following Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017 and Margaret Gardiner in 1978. Last year saw former Miss SA Tamaryn Green make the top three, and she was crowned first runner-up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOUTH AFRICA, SHE DID IT!!!!! Congratulations @zozitunzi what a woman you are! Ps: I have a NYC to do list for you😉 #missuniverse

A post shared by Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (@demileighnp) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:36pm PST

 Image: Instagram/ @zozitunzi

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