Zozibini Tunzi

“Society has been conditioned for a very long time to see beauty as something that's been westernised.”

“Since sixth grade, I've been learning that the climate is deteriorating and the planet is dying, and it is up to us to keep our planet safe.”

“I'm happy to see people being fearless and finally knowing that their voices mean something and that they stand for something.”

“I believe that beauty means being comfortable with who you are.”

“There's something about home that you just can't find anywhere else in the world.”

“Coming from the Eastern Cape, it's one of the most poverty-stricken provinces in the country, so whether it be in education or something else, I'd like to go directly there and help because I've seen it first-hand and experienced it.”

“I think the most important thing... is leadership. It's something that has been lacking in young women and girls for a very long time, not because we don't want to but because of what society has labeled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity.”

“We should be teaching young girls to take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself.”

“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 am inspired by the likes of Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana and those of their calibre. They understood fully what it means to be selfless and to stand for something.”

“The platform Miss Universe has given me has exceeded my wildest expectations.”

“I stand for the education of the South African youth, for equality and representation, as Miss South Africa, I cannot wait to make a contribution to these important social causes.”

“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'm so grateful to have been able to go to the world and tell the story of South African women and South African children. As I stood there for Miss Universe, I spoke about leadership and I spoke about empowering young women and young boys as well.”

“I knew that to live a fulfilling life I had to live a purposeful life; a life of service.”

“You're not taught to be ambitious as a woman. And so when you are, sometimes you shy away from it or you're scared of voicing your opinions.”

“My grandmother probably never thought she would see a day where, you know, a young black woman would be seen as a leader, which is incredible.”

“I always knew I had to find a way to be a catalyst for positive change.”

“I think women should be in women's corner even more, wherever... across the world, women need to be in each other's corners.”

“As Miss South Africa, I cannot wait to make a contribution to important social causes.”