WATCH: Our very own #MissUniverse Zozibini Tunzi hands over her crown
As we approach a time where so much of how we used to live has changed, we get to fly our South African flag high with people like Zozibini Tunzi. The longest reigning Miss Universe has handed over her reign to a new Miss Universe.
We all remember that moment when Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe in 2019. That moment broke barriers of stereotypical views, not just in South Africa, but also in the world. That moment marked a moment of pride and greatness for all South Africans and all Africans.
It was truly a momentous and iconic crowning, one that allowed us to reinforce our views that everything is possible. Sunday marked the last day of her reign for our beautiful Zozibini and as she closes this chapter, she recollects her emotions and feelings from her crowing moment almost two years ago.
Re-watching this on my final day as reigning Miss Universe. Feeling all sorts of emotions as we count down the hours❤ https://t.co/MHDSC0e9nK
— Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) May 16, 2021
Zozi, as she is known to many, was the third South African to win the title of Miss Universe. She held the title for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pageant being postponed last year.
Zozi is the first black woman to win the title of Miss Universe since Leila Lopes was crowned in 2011. Her bold and beautiful acknowledgment of being the first woman to win that holds her decorum, was both glass shattering and goose-bumpy, to say the least.
Listen to her "cementing words" below:
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"For Zozi, family is is the most important part of her life: I once read that a child chooses their parents. If that is true, my family is the best decision I have made in my life so far. Everything else could be falling apart but they remain the constant centre of my joy." (MissSA)
As humble and endearing as her words are about her parents, the truth is that her parents have a lot to be proud of when it comes to Zozi. She embraces her natural hair and encourages other African women to hold their naturalness as a top distinguisher of their beauty.
“I entered the Miss South Africa competition with my natural hair as a symbol of my firm belief in fair representation of any shape and form. And so, through winning both Miss South Africa and Miss Universe, I hope I have inspired people to be themselves at all times and to never compromise their identities, and to insert themselves in spaces where they feel that people like them do not belong.”
We watched Zozi hand her crown over to Miss Mexico, Andrea Meza, in the early hours of this morning. Watch Zozi as she takes her final walk as longest reigning Miss Universe and listen to her powerful words.
I love you, Zozi! Most intelligent and most impactful Miss Universe 🤍pic.twitter.com/fYUA4rBy57
— ًduane (@akinatesthetic) May 17, 2021
Image Courtesy of Twitter
For more of Carol Ofori, listen below: