Zozibini Tunzi, 26, of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe 2019 on Dec. 8 after receiving excellent scores for her response to questions on social issues and what young girls should be taught about their value and self-worth.
“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership,” Tunzi said. “It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be.”
Tunzi is an activist engaged in the fight against gender-based violence.
“I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity and that is what we should be teaching these girls, to take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space and cementing yourself.”
Sofia Aragon of Mexico and Madison Anderson of Puerto Rico were runners up at the pageant.
“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,” Tunzi said. “I think it is time that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine”
The pageant was held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta and Steve Harvey hosted the affair for his fifth year.
