Oprah Winfrey, Trevor Noah congratulate Zozibini Tunzi on winning Miss Universe
"May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams," says Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.
South Africans are still on a high following Zozibini Tunzi's win at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.
Zozibini beat Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Mexico to be crowned the fairest in the universe.
The 26-year-old thanked her parents, Philiswa Nadapu and Lungisa Tunzi, for helping her become the woman she is today.
"I am because you are. You’ve given me life, you’ve raised me to be the woman I am so that I can stand in a far away land proudly knowing where I’m rooted and where I come from. You’ve sacrificed so much and fought battles I don’t even know about, everything so that we could have all the opportunities the Universe has to offer," she wrote on Instagram.
Zozibini dedicated her win to little girls with big dreams.
"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!" she wrote on Instagram.
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Celebrities including Trevor Noah, Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Felicia Mabuza-Suttle were some of the first to congratulate Zozi on her big win.
Oprah praised Zozibini's final question in which said young girls should be taught leadership.
"Congratulations Miss South Africa, the new Miss Universe@zozitunzi! Agree with you...leadership is the most powerful thing we should be teaching young women today. We welcome your visit to #OWLAG, our Leadership Academy for Girls," the talk show host wrote on Twitter.
Congratulations Miss South Africa, the new Miss Universe @zozitunzi! Agree with you...leadership is the most powerful thing we should be teaching young women today. We welcome your visit to #OWLAG, our Leadership Academy for Girls 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 https://t.co/YL0NeO40QU
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) December 9, 2019
Halala Mzansi!🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 https://t.co/0G5Tb0zCPr
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) December 9, 2019
Like OMG! So proud! https://t.co/jwVEsgYKz1 pic.twitter.com/gcWqKaKPk5
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) December 9, 2019
You did it @zozitunzi!👏 You shattered negative stereotypes/perceptions about #Africa. We are walking even taller today than ever. You have demonstrated to every young black & brown girl, that they too can.
— Felicia Mabuza-Suttle (@Feliciamabuza) December 9, 2019
"Yes, you cannot be what you cannot see," says #Astronaut #SallyRide. pic.twitter.com/HtoPaWTTuW
This kind of Universe.
— Nomzamo Mbatha (@NomzamoMbatha) December 9, 2019
To exist in it.
To occupy its space.
To wear it’s crown.
Shine Zozibini Shine.
Shine South Africa Shine 🇿🇦 #MissUniverse2019 pic.twitter.com/82o5Ghap9u
👑 2019 @MissUniverse behind-the-scenes! #ZozibiniTunzi #MarjorieHarvey pic.twitter.com/77PjL2tkXu
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 9, 2019
Zozi's parents! Well done to you 🥰 @zozitunzi https://t.co/JBaLX3TygT
— Jo-Ann Strauss (@jo_annstrauss) December 9, 2019
I can’t!!!! Miss Universe 2019 is.... SOUTH AFRICA! @zozitunzi @MissUniverse @Official_MissSA 😍😍😍🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/U5m3dctJr5
— Rolene Strauss (@RoleneStrauss) December 9, 2019
SOUTH AFRICA, SHE DID IT!!!!! Congratulations @zozitunzi what a woman you are! Ps: I have a NYC to do list for you😉 #missuniverse @Official_MissSA @MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/4PxpwrkhVz
— Demi-LeighNel-Peters (@DemiLeighNP) December 9, 2019
Zozibini will soon be jetting off to New York City, where she will stay in a penthouse apartment for the rest of her reign.
Congrats, Zozibini!