SNAP | Zozibini’s early pageant days are the cutest thing

12 October 2020 - 14:00 By cebelihle bhengu
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Miss SA Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe in December 2019.
Miss SA Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe in December 2019.
Image: Supplied

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has reflected on her young start in beauty pageants with a picture of her 11-year-old self.

She was responding to a challenge posed by media personality and UNCHR ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha in celebration of International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday.

In the pic, Zozi can be seen rocking a silver dress, white stockings and bright smile.

Zozi said she had made the top five in the pageant, and was excited because she would show people what she had learnt from books handed down by her grandmother, and from her community library.

“I was unafraid because I had the greatest weapons; education and a dream! Imagine how the world would be if every girl child was equipped with incredible knowledge?”

To young girls and women, she said: “You're an incredible force. Don't let that spark die. To every woman, you are doing an incredible job keeping those promises you made to yourself as a young girl. Keep on keeping".

Nomzamo shared a picture of her 10-year-old self and reflected on how reassurances from her teachers helped her achieve her goals.

“Who would have thought that from a small little corner in SA, that little smile would be where it is now. If it were not for my teachers who saw that little bright light before I realised it, if it were not for the books that kept me dreaming and imagining, I don't know how life would look like right now,” she wrote.

She thanked her younger self for giving her the courage to follow her dreams.  


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now