Miss Universe welcomed home by proud South Africans

Reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, received a warm and well deserved welcome on her arrival at OR Tambo yesterday.  It was the first time she has been in South Africa since taking the title on December 8 in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US.
As the 68^th Miss Universe winner, Tunzi will now embark on a week-long homecoming tour that includes visits to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Mthatha and the two villages she grew up in – Tsolo and Dutywa in the Eastern Cape.
Tunzi says she is delighted to be back: “I am so thrilled to be home. I can feel the energy and the passion and it has been truly special. This win hasn’t just been about me and I share it with all South Africans.”
“I cannot wait to see my parents and what they have planned for me. Growing up in Tsolo I was the little girl who didn’t always feel that I had a place. I didn’t see role models or people who looked like me. My message for every village child – for every child – is to believe in the power of your dreams and believe in yourself. You can be way more than I am.”

Today (February 9), Tunzi will unveil a mural that has been painted in her honour, before attending a lunch at which she will be entertained with traditional dancing.

On Monday, February 10, Tunzi, accompanied by her mother Philiswa Nadapu, will visit her primary school, Canaan Academy, in Dutywa, where many of her former Grade 1 and 2 classmates will be on hand to welcome her.

On Thursday morning, February 13, Tunzi will ride in an open-topped bus through the streets of Johannesburg (route to be announced), and later that afternoon she will fly to Cape Town where she will be the personal guest of President Cyril Ramaphosa as he gives his State of the Nation Address in Parliament.

The following day (Friday, February 14), it will be the turn of Cape Town residents to see Tunzi as she makes her way through the city in a street parade (route to be announced).

How do you feel about your triumphant homecoming tour?
The support from South Africans came way before I won Miss Universe. The minute I stepped on that flight to Atlanta I knew I was taking South Africa with me. I took that flight as a single person but stood on that stage representing millions back home. Their undying support and love have never stopped. Coming home I get to finally touch and feel that love in person and celebrate it together. I cannot think of a better emotion.

What message do you have for your fans?
I don’t know if I have fans. I like to think of them as my supporters and my message to them is to believe in the power of dreams and capabilities. The world will take away so much from you, but your dreams and abilities are yours to believe in and to take care of and to fight for. I want them to be stubborn and resilient.

What has your life been like since your win in December? Has it lived up to expectations?
My life since the Miss Universe win has changed completely, in fact I do not think my life will ever be the same again. I have been to places I never thought I would go and have met people I never imagined I would meet. The platform Miss Universe has given me has exceeded my wildest expectations.

What have been some of the highlights?
I had never had the opportunity to travel before and I recently went to Indonesia. It was such a beautiful experience. I met Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a woman I admired growing up in South Africa as a girl child. She is the executive director of United Nations Women. Being a part of that UN Women meeting and having the opportunity to work with them was something I had always dreamt of and that dream has now been realised.

What has the last few months been like in the US?
I have been settling in very well. I try to walk around whenever I can to familiarise myself with the city so it doesn’t feel so strange. Most of the time I am working and doing a lot of media interviews which is a big part of my job as the spokesperson for the Miss Universe Organization. I also think that being a South African has held me in good stead – we are so diverse and that has really helped.

What is the first meal you’re going to have when you are back home?
Definitely Nandos. They don’t have one around where I live in New York and I am dying for some Nandos.

What message do you have for those thinking of entering Miss South Africa 2020?
I say, do it! You have absolutely nothing to lose. All you have to do is fill in a form and arrive as you are. I never compromised who I was and what I stood for in that competition. I believed in my truth. I lived it and I spoke it. I also want to point out that it’s not an easy ride which is why it is important to be strong – both mentally and emotionally.

What do you want to say to young women in South Africa?
I want to tell them that they have everything it takes inside them to achieve their wildest dreams. They are not the weakest link and should never be made to think by anyone that they are. Their role in the world matters and the time is now to step into their power

• Press release shortened