THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME INTO YOUR HEARTS’: ZOZI’S FAREWELL AS MISS UNIVERSE
After making history, breaking old stereotypes and records, Zozibini Tunzi has bid an emotional farewell as Miss Universe.
Tunzi made history as the first black South African beauty queen to be crowned Miss Universe in 2019 and she set a record as the longest-reigning holder of that title as 2020 could not be held due to the coronavirus pandemic.
South Africa’s Natasha Joubert waved the Mzansi flag high at the contest over the weekend, but the title was given to Miss Mexico Andrea Meza.
Tunzi shared her farewell message in posts on her social media by captioning a picture of her at the pageant in a stunning isiXhosa-inspired gown by local designer Biji La Maison.
“I am reminded every day that my journey wasn’t just mine alone. With that said I want to thank you all. Thank you for welcoming me into your hearts and walking side by side with me on this very important chapter of my life,” she said.
Tunzi may have handed over her crown to this year’s winner, Andrea Meza of Mexico, but as the Miss SA Organisation tweeted, she will “forever be the landlord of the universe in our eyes”.
“From the moment I won, I knew my reign would be different, but I never imagined it would be during a global pandemic,” said Tunzi who, having clinched the title in 2019, went on to set the record as the longest-reigning Miss Universe.
Ever pragmatic, Tunzi pointed out in her final statement that Covid-19 lockdowns meant the world had gone virtual, giving her the opportunity to touch twice as many lives.
Using the online #UniverseUnited platform, she was able to “lend her voice” to causes including the fights for race and gender equality, and to “amplify the black lives matter message and have conversations to help end systemic racism”.
“My Miss Universe win is my ancestors’ wildest dream,” Tunzi said.
“We are now in a world where a black African girl from a country that is only 27 years into democracy can represent them on the global stage. I want to honour them for fighting for my freedoms so I could be where I am today.”
She thanked her family and SA before concluding: “I’m proud to know I did my best to make a difference, cementing a footprint for others to follow in the future.”
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