Zozibini Tunzi has been a public figure for only two years, but it feels like two decades.
Her trajectory to the top is an emblem of how the internet (lighting fast) and its fave offspring social media (fickle) have made it easy for hundreds like her to become superstars overnight in the 2010s.
But put some “respek” on her name, Tunzi has more than earned her stripes. She shifted the status quo for global beauty standards when she was historically crowned Miss Universe with her natural short hair.
Despite her crowning moment in December 2019 happening on the wake of the global pandemic, Tunzi remained unshaken and celestial. In the end, she became the longest reigning Miss Universe in 69 years.
Stranded in her New York, US, apartment, Tunzi relied on social media platforms and Zoom calls to connect with the universe and spread her message of hope. Unsurprisingly, she emerged as a beacon of light during the dark ages.
What is even more shocking is how short her Miss SA reign was – a short-lived two months. Before long, she was winning the world over at Miss Universe in Atlanta, Georgia, also in the US, with her roaring speech on representation and female empowerment.
“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and kind of hair, isn’t considered beautiful,” Tunzi, born in Eastern Cape’s village of Sidwadweni, charged at Miss Universe. “I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”
Tunzi has paved the way for her predecessor and Limpopo’s finest, Shudufhadzo Musida, who was titled Miss SA with a shaved-head and hour-glass figure. Since 2019, transgender women have been eligible to enter Miss SA and this year, Lehlogonolo Machaba made history by becoming the first trans woman to openly enter the pageant.
Tunzi believes more can still be done to further advance the paradigm. “I know that there are still some groups that are marginalised in the pageant space. This is a platform for women and it should be open to all types of women,” Tunzi says.
“Looking back to just 10 years ago, I would not have been able to win the pageants that I did. I’m proud to have been the one at the door, even though there were many that came before me and paved the way.
“I’m happy to have cracked the door and opened it for many women who are going to come after me to live their wildest dreams.”
Tunzi is truly her ancestors’ wildest dreams, and ebony beauties like Jacqui Mofokeng, Basetsana Kumalo, Peggy-Sue Khumalo, Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala and more, who paved the way by challenging Western pageantry standards.
“Growing up in a small town or village you never imagine that something like this can happen for you, I’m humbled to realise that I’m living my dream,” Tunzi enthuses.
“Jacqui Mofokeng is firstly an icon. I'd love to meet her because if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s important to acknowledge the many others before me. Women like her had to crawl so I could run and fly. Thank you for being brave, especially during a turbulent time for black people in SA.”
Tunzi is one of many Miss SA winners in the 2010s that flew the SA flag high at international level. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters won Miss Universe in 2017, while Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World in 2014. Tamaryn Green placed first runner-up at Miss Universe in 2018, while Musida is heading to Miss World later this year.
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