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Johannesburg – Zozibini Tunzi is the name on everyone's lips right now.
On Sunday, the 26-year-old became the third South African to win the Miss Universe title, making headlines around the world.
Celebrities like Trevor Noah, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Oprah wished the beauty queen well on social media.
If, like the rest of the world, you'd like to know more about the woman behind the Miss Universe crown, we've got you covered.
HERE ARE 10 FACTS ABOUT ZOZIBINI TUNZI:
1. She hails from the Eastern Cape
Zozibini was born in Tsolo, eSdwadweni in the Eastern Cape on 18 September 1993. Her mother is a school principal in the Eastern Cape, and her father works at the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria.
2. Winning sense of humour
The second of four girls, Zozibini jokes that she entered the Miss SA pageant to prove she's the most beautiful Tunzi sister. At the star's national costume reveal, Liesl Laurie, who was a regional judge at the 2019 Miss SA pageant, revealed that it was this sense of humour that made Zozibini a stand-out contestant for her.
3. Second time's the charm
She entered Miss SA twice and was a semi-finalist in 2017, the year in which Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters took home the Miss SA and Miss Universe crowns.
4. Not just a pretty face
When she won Miss SA, Zozi was completing her B.Tech at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She previously graduated with a ND: Public Relations Management at the same institution.
5. Naturally beautiful
She chose to enter Miss SA with her natural hair as "a symbol of my firm belief in fair representation of any shape and form." The beauty queen has said that she hopes to inspire people to be themselves at all times.
6. An advocate for change
She is using her voice to change the narrative around gender-based violence and even incorporated her passion around the subject into her Miss Universe national costume.
7. Looking up to the greats
Her role models include Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana.
8. A superhero fan
Zozibini is a massive fan of the Marvel Universe and also enjoys the DC comic superhero Wonder Woman.
9. Not crazy about heights
She is terrified of heights (acrophobia) and holes (trypophobia).
10. She loves traditional SA food
Her favourite food is Umngqusho (which is made from stamp mielies and sugar beans) and beef stew.
Compiled by Nikita Coetzee
