South African Zozibini Tunzi has been crowned winner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant for the year 2019. Zozibini saw off competition from 90 other contestants to finish first at the 68th edition which was held at the Tyler Perry Studio in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday.
The 26-year old model who also holds the Miss South African accolade pressed her hands together against her head and grinned in excitement after being pronounced winner. She then got dressed with the Miss Universe sash, which was placed over her sparkling, long-sleeved gown and had the crown presented to her by 2018 winner, Catriona Grey.
Zozibini proceeded to render a speech on what young women need to be taught which left the masses inspired..
“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. And I think that it is time that it stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want to see their faces reflected in mine.
I think the most important thing we should
be teaching young girls today is leadership.
It’s something that has been lacking in young girls for a very long time, not because we don’t want to [take leadership], but because of how society has labelled women to be.”
Prior to her victory, Zozibini Tunzi works as an activist and is particularly passionate about fighting gender-based violence. She is the third woman from South Africa to win the title and the first black woman since 2011
Watch the moment she was crowned winner below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B51fuo8Aemw/?hl=en
Photo Credit: Instagram
