“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.
“I think that it is time that that stops today.”
That’s the message from newly-crowned Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, who is from South Africa.
More than 90 women from across the world took part in the pageant which was held in Atlanta in the US on Sunday.
Zozibini beat Puerto Rico’s Madison Anderson and Mexico’s Sofia Aragon in the final three to take the tiara.
Finalists in the competition were asked a range of questions on topics such as climate change, protest and social media.
In her final question, 26-year-old Zozibini was asked what we should be teaching young girls today.
Her answer was leadership.
“It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time – not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labelled women to be,” she said.
“I think we are the most powerful beings on the world, and that we should be given every opportunity. “And that is what we should be teaching these young girls – to take up space.”
Zozibini, who won Miss South Africa in August, is described by Miss Universe as “a proud advocate for natural beauty”.
It adds that she’s “a passionate activist and engaged in the fight against gender based violence”.
“She has devoted her social media campaign to changing the narrative around gender stereotypes.”
Although her exact prizes aren’t revealed by Miss Universe, Zozibini’s expected to have won a year’s stay rent-free in an apartment in New York – and a salary worth around $100,000 (£76,000).
She’ll also fly around the world for media and modelling opportunities.
Miss Zambia next!!!
That will happen when HH goes to the MUSEUM and hate is removed from Zambia.
well done mfowethu who would have thought!!…never stop believing in your dreams anything is possible. congratulations again.
@Sharon…..Why do you hate yourself so much ?
Its apparent that you dont like who you are and envy everything about HH. Just work hard and maybe one day you may have the wealth that HH has. You may also invest some of your wealth in tax haven regions like wealthy people do. But start by liking yourself first.
Prime Minister I like myself very much! Zambia is a great nation without HH.
Miss Namibia won miss Universe before. Okay let me stop right here, cause these beauty things are non important to us men. Women will have esteem issues no matter what. White women cut themselves everyday to look younger. I mean weird plastic surgery. Though I will let these women enjoy themselves.
she’s a smart young woman with a passion for the shanti children.
I hope she uses the platform she’s been given to advance many projects to uplift lives of some youth who are falling and failing along the way and forgotten by mainstream society. they are our own brothers and sisters with a lot to say and a lot offer
@Sharon….No I dont think you like yourself. You sound like an intelligent person and I hate to see potential people degenerate into cabbage because they simply refuse to think rationally. You behave like someone with a brain stroke and the only way to treat it is by repeating the name HH. It may work.
Mr. Prime Minister I am not the first person to degenerate. A Privatisation Thief in Zambia degenerated first by refusing to concede that he had lost an election and took the nation at ransom for two weeks. He still hasn’t conceded today and he is promoting Sex HAGAINST the H-order of NATURE. My foot! He is also a leader of NAMWALA FOOTBALL CLUB.
@ Sharon….I give up. You are beyond help, although am convinced that you are an intelligent person.
@Mr. Prime Minister, I am also convinced that you are very intelligent and one day you will H-UNDERSTAND.