This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi Crowned Miss Universe 2019 ¶
On Sunday, December 8, 2019, at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, Zozibini Tunzi, a 26-year-old South African, was crowned Miss Universe 2019.
"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 beautiful," Tunzi said in her acceptance speech. "I think that it is time that that stops today."
Tunzi, who was crowned Miss South Africa in August, is described by Miss Universe as "a proud advocate for natural beauty." She was also described as "a passionate activist and engaged in the fight against gender-based violence."
More than 90 women from around the world took part in the pageant, with Kenya represented by Stacy Michuki, 18, a granddaughter of former Environment Cabinet Minister John Michuki (deceased).
Tunzi beat Puerto Rico's Madison Anderson and Mexico's Sofia Aragon in the final three to take the tiara. In her final question, she was asked what young girls should be taught today, and she replied, "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 in 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."
Tunzi is the first black woman to win the competition since Leila Lopes in 2011. The Angolan former winner congratulated her in a post on Instagram, writing: "Congrats girl you did us very proud."
Reflecting on her win, Tunzi wrote: "Tonight a door was opened and I could not be more grateful to have been the one to have walked through it. May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams and may they see their faces reflected in mine."
"I proudly state my name Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019!"
