Zozibini Tunzi's relationship with Miss SA turns sour?
Pageant officials say Zozibini is always welcome at their events, despite claims of alleged drama behind the scenes.
Miss South Africa officials are responding to claims that their relationship with Zozibini Tunzi has turned sour.
Zozibini, who won the pageant in 2019, was noticeably absent from the Miss SA ceremony held on Sunday, August 13, despite being invited as a VIP guest. She also hosted the pageant's 'Crown Chasers' reality series in the build-up to the final ceremony.
Shortly after the ceremony aired, fans noticed that Zozibini had unfollowed the organisation on Instagram. Her bio also now only includes her Miss Universe 2019 title - though it is unclear when she removed Miss SA.
She also does not follow Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil. Zozibini still appears on the CEO's 'following' list.
The 29-year-old was radio silent when the ceremony aired over a week ago. Gauteng's Natasha Joubert was crowned the pageant's 2023 winner.
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Zozibini removed Miss South Africa from her insta account and unfollowed them aswell 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/k4U8J0bGuz
— Charlieafrikka (@JohnsonAwalle) August 15, 2023
Zozibini has remained mum about being a no-show to the final ceremony. According to several reports, drama erupted behind the scenes in the days leading up to the big day about wardrobe expenses.
There was allegedly confusion over who was responsible for paying for the clothes that she wore in the reality series.
One stylist told ZiMoja that when he tried to claim for work done on 'Crown Chasers', he was told to send the invoice to Zozi.
"That was not part of our agreement. I was working as a stylist for the show, I was not brought in by Zozi and now I am being asked to invoice her," the stylist said.
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The Miss SA organisation is setting the record straight following days of speculation.
Officials said in a statement that Zozibini's management agency was paid in full for her appearance on 'Crown Chasers'. According to their agreement, the fee was "inclusive of all fees and expenses".
"We hope that any issues Ms Tunzi’s wardrobe suppliers may be having with her management in this regard are resolved soonest," the organisation said in a statement, according to The Citizen.
The organisation also refused to be drawn into why Zozibini did not attend the final ceremony or why she removed the pageant from her Instagram bio.
"The Miss South Africa Organisation cannot speak to Ms Tunzi’s calendar nor social media activity, however, she is always welcomed and celebrated at any Miss South Africa event.”
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Main image credit: Instagram/@zozitunzi
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