When Tunzi won the Miss South Africa (SA) beauty competition in August 2019 – having tried without success in the past – her life took an interesting turn. Now she has been adorned with the ultimate acclaim in the universe, the highest glittering offer there is, her life will never be the same again.
Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019 at the global beauty pageant held in Tyler Perry’s Atlanta Studios, U.S.A., on Sunday night, Dec. 8.
On her splendid title, Miss SA outshone (two) finalists Miss Puerto Rico’s Madison Anderson and Miss Mexico’s Sofia Argon. The beauty contest comprised more than ninety (90) women from all over the world.
“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,” Tunzi said according to the BBC.
In one of her responses to the glitz and glamorous event hosted by award-winning American comedian Steve Harvey, CNN quoted Tunzi saying:
“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… 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.”
The Miss Universe Organization, the custodian of Miss Universe, has decided to keep its official list of perks and niceties under wraps. However, according to Esquire Magazine, the sparkly new tiara worth “R73 million” goes with:
- A year-long salary estimated at $100,000 (1 478 309,00)
- living in New York City apartment with all expenses paid for a year until the title is passed to her successor in 2020;
- expected to share the apartment with Miss U.S.A. 2019;
- a modelling portfolio shot by world famous photographers;
- fully sponsored travel privileges,
- professional health: nutrition, dermatology consultations and free dental;
- professional personal styling – a year’s supply of makeup, hair products, shoes, clothing, jewellery, and skincare provided by organization sponsors: Sherri Hill, Chi Haircare, OP Makeup, and Olivia Quido Skin Care;
- exclusive access to events, parties, premieres, screenings, and even casting opportunities.
For a year as reigning Miss Universe, she will revel in and be exposed to a glamorous lifestyle of the premium billing on earth. As much as a demanding itinerary and daunting responsibilities, it is quite a lucrative bounty.
Zozibini Ntuzi succeeded the Filipino Catriona Gray who handed over and placed the tiara on the new Miss Universe’s head on Sunday. On her [Gray] descent from the festooned jewel and passing the coveted title to the South African, she said that the year-long dazzling experience was “unforgettable, life-changing and purposeful,” published the CNN.
Upon strutting her stuff and winning Miss SA in August this year, The South African reported that:
“Zozibini Tunzi was given R1 million in cash, as well as a further R2 million worth of sponsorship deals and prizes. She was also allowed the use of a luxury Sandton apartment and a Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet for a year.”
Tunzi was born in Sidwadweni village in Tsolo, Eastern Cape Province. Last year, at 25 years of age, she graduated at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Image Management.
With her 2015 “Miss Mamelodi Sundowns” Football Club pageantry win as a stepping-stone, she tried the Miss South Africa’s crown jewel and failed to impress on two occasions before 2019 but, she made it to “semi-finals in 2017”, SowetanLIVE wrote. The August win was a signal of hope to many an aspiring beauty contestants from all corners of the country. Sunday’s world-conquering accomplishment and its embellishments was an icing on the already delightful cake.
Ntuzi’s rousing response on a question around leadership issues which charmed American businesswoman Oprah Winfrey was:
“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It is something that has been lacking in young girls and woman for a 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. 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.”
Zozibini Ntuzi became the 3rd South African to win Miss Universe – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017 and Margaret Gardiner in 1978. What is more, The Hill cited the BBC reporting that “Tunzi’s victory makes her the first black woman to receive the title since Leila Lopes of Angola won in 2011.”