Zozibini Tunzi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zozibini Tunzi
Tunzi in 2020
Born	(1993-09-18) 18 September 1993 (age 31) Tsolo, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Alma mater	Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Title	Miss South Africa 2019 Miss Universe 2019
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown
Major competition(s)	Miss South Africa 2017 (top 26) Miss South Africa 2019 (winner) Miss Universe 2019 (winner)

Zozibini "Zozi" Tunzi (born 18 September 1993) is a South African model and actress. She is famous for winning the Miss Universe 2019 beauty pageant. Before that, she was crowned Miss South Africa 2019. Zozibini is the third woman from South Africa to win Miss Universe. She is also the first black South African woman to achieve this title.

Early Life and Education

Zozibini Tunzi was born on September 18, 1993. Her parents are Philiswa Nodapu and Lungisa Tunzi. She grew up in a village called Sidwadweni in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Zozibini has three sisters.

Later, she moved to Cape Town to study at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. In 2018, she earned a diploma in public relations management. Before winning Miss South Africa, Zozibini was working on a higher degree in public relations. She also worked as an intern at a public relations company in Cape Town.

Journey to Pageantry Success

Zozibini Tunzi started her journey in beauty pageants in 2017. She was one of the top 26 semifinalists for Miss South Africa 2017.

Becoming Miss South Africa 2019

In 2019, Zozibini decided to compete in the Miss South Africa 2019 pageant again. She was chosen as one of the top 35 semifinalists. Later, she became one of the sixteen finalists.

Zozibini Tunzi meeting with officials in Jakarta.

The Miss South Africa 2019 pageant took place in Pretoria on August 9. Zozibini did very well in the competition. She made it to the top ten, then the top five, and finally the top two. She won the crown, beating Sasha-Lee Olivier, who was the runner-up.

After winning, Zozibini received many prizes. These included about R1 million (South African rand), a new car, and a fancy apartment in Johannesburg. These prizes helped her during her time as Miss South Africa. Winning also meant she would represent South Africa at the Miss Universe 2019 competition.

Winning Miss Universe 2019

In November 2019, Zozibini traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, for Miss Universe 2019. The final competition was held on December 8. Zozibini moved through the different rounds. She became one of the top twenty, then top ten, and finally the top three contestants.

Zozibini Tunzi crowning Ayu Maulida as Miss Indonesia 2020.

At the end of the event, Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019. She was crowned by the previous winner, Catriona Gray. Zozibini won over Madison Anderson from Puerto Rico and Sofía Aragón from Mexico.

Zozibini's win was very special. She became the third person from South Africa to win Miss Universe. She was also the first black woman to win the title since 2011. Her win was part of a historic year in 2019. That year, black women won all four major beauty pageants in the United States. Also, black women won the two most important international pageants.

As Miss Universe, Zozibini lived in New York City. She traveled to many places around the world for events. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Zozibini had the longest reign as Miss Universe. She held the title for 525 days. Her reign ended on May 16, 2021, when she crowned Andrea Meza from Mexico as the new Miss Universe.

Life After Miss Universe

After her reign as Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi started acting. She made her acting debut in a movie called The Woman King. The film was released on September 16, 2022.

Filmography

Achievements

National Film and Television Awards

See also

In Spanish: Zozibini Tunzi para niños