The 69th Miss Universe pageant will be taking place in the United States of America on 16 May 2021 (02:00am to 05:00am on 17 May SA time).
As South Africans prepare to rally behind this year’s representative, Natasha Joubert – who is the second runner up of Miss SA – Zozibini Tunzi will be crowning her successor at the event and ending her long-standing reign.
In honour of her history-making win, we take a look back at some of the highlights from her Miss Universe journey.
The big crowning moment
Zozi made history when she was crowned Miss Universe in 2019. She became the third woman from South Africa to take the crown and the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe since 2011.
Taking accountability for past mistakes
In May 2020, a popular entrant of the Miss SA pageant, Bianca Schoombie, caused outrage on social media after her old tweets – which were racist and offensive – resurfaced online.
In an Instagram video related to what was happening with Bianca, Zozi said that she had also made mistakes in the past and didn’t want to be seen as a person with no faults.
“When it hit me, I was taken aback. When I read those things, I thought: ‘surely I’m human and there must have been mistakes, you know, that I’ve made. I can’t really be as perfect as I’m made out to be,” she said.
Someone woke up to her last day of being the reigning Miss Universe ! I’m feeling all sorts of emotions as we count down the hours – Zozi Tunzi.
Zozi said that the incident had led her to look through her own old Facebook posts which date as far back as 2012 and she was met with disappointing things she had written. She then apologised for the posts.
“I was just so disappointed with myself. I was just filled with shame that I thought it was okay to share that at that time. I want to take the time to apologise for those posts that I’ve shared, to apologise to anyone that is or was affected by those posts and just to say that those posts are in direct contrast to who I am and everything that I stand for,” she said.
Sharing her musical talents
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the world right at the beginning of her reign, Tunzi was not able to physically perform her Miss Universe duties and could only do everything virtually.
During this time, she would serenade her followers with musical renditions of inspirational songs such as Andra Day’s Rise Up.
Defending Shudufhadzo Musida
After being crowned Miss SA in 2020, Shudufhadzo Musida experienced cyberbullying and was constantly compared to Zozi.
Coming to her defense, Zozi offered Musida words of comfort and assured her that she was doing great.
“You’re doing the most, I’m so happy to see Limpopo coming out to embrace you and welcoming you home. Keep making everyone proud. We love you Miss SA. It’s your time. It’s your season,” she wrote on Twitter.
Being the longest reigning Miss Universe
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Zozi Tunzi has become the longest reigning Miss Universe after holding the title for over 467 days, breaking the previous record that was held by Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes who held the title for 464 days from September 2011 to December 2012.
Last year the Miss Universe pageant was put on hold due to the pandemic and has resumed again this year, where a new Miss Universe will be crowned on Sunday.
The fashion
Like the true queen that she is, Zozi served us looks on top of looks during her reign. Here are 5 of our favourite looks from her.
On Sunday, Zozi wrote on her Instagram: “Someone woke up to her last day of being the reigning Miss Universe! I’m feeling all sorts of emotions as we count down the hours.” We’re looking forward to seeing who will be crowned the new Miss Universe, and we are rooting for our South African representative Natasha Joubert!
