Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019, was welcomed home to roaring crowds over the weekend as she set off on her homecoming victory tour.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 February 2020) – South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019 at the 68th edition of the Miss Universe competition. In what is South Africa’s third big pageant win after the recent victory in 2017, the 26-year-old beauty queen beat out 89 other contestants during the pageant held in Atlanta.
The initial 90 contestants were narrowed down to 20 semifinalists during a closed-door competition before Sunday’s three-hour live TV event. And following a series of traditional pageant-style events — including the ever-popular swimsuit and evening gown rounds — this year’s Top 10 was revealed: Colombia, France, Iceland, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand and the United States
Tunzi was finally crowned as Miss Universe after excelling through all the rounds of the night and, questions on social issues and one final chance to explain why she was the right choice. The talented South African earned cheers during her closing speech, a new segment of the competition, in which she talked about wanting to empower young women to feel confident.
“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,” she said in her last response.
“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.”
Over the weekend, she was welcomed home to thousands of South Africans cheering her on. Zozi, as she is now being called by global media, shone brightly as ever, smiling and waving at all the people who welcomed her home.
This is her first time home since being crowned Miss Universe. Zozi will be touring South Africa to meet everyone who would like to see her.
Miss Universe shared a video of Zozi’s homecoming and shared that her flight was even slightly delayed. The Gautrain also joined the celebrations by offering free rides to everyone who wanted to go welcome Zozi home.
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I can never thank you enough for this. Thank you so much South Africa🇿🇦❤️😭 pic.twitter.com/yz4Nkbu7d6
— Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) February 9, 2020
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