Congratulatory messages poured in on Monday morning for South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi who clinched the Miss Universe crown, displaying the beauty of Africa to the world.
Defeating about 90 women from across the universe, Tunzi finished first ahead of the Puerto Rican and Mexican finalists in a glamorous event hosted by American comic turned TV personality Steve Harvey in Atlanta.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a congratulatory message posted on his official twitter handle said, “Congratulations to our #MissUniverse2019. May young women continue to take up space & leave an indelible mark on society, just as you have.”
Congratulations to our #MissUniverse2019 @ZoziTunzi. I too hope children the world over will see their faces reflected in yours & be inspired to believe in the power of their dreams. May young women continue to take up space & leave an indelible mark on society, just as you have. pic.twitter.com/Bn4tDhvX0o
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 9, 2019
Popular South African comedian and the host of American satirical news program The Daily Show, Trevor Noah also hailed Tunzi on her feat.
“Congratulations @zozitunzi on representing SA and yourself in a truly regal manner. So so so proud,” Noah posted.
Congratulations @zozitunzi on representing SA and yourself in a truly regal manner. So so so proud. #MissUniverse2019 #SouthAfrica #Mzansi
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) December 9, 2019
Many other African congratulated Tunzi for doing the continent proud. Others were appreciated her confidence in the African hair hailing her for contesting with her natural hair.
See more congratulatory messages below…
We are proud! Congratulations #Zozibini #MissUniverse 2019 pic.twitter.com/su4yBb6CqX
— K.O (@MrCashtime) December 9, 2019
Miss Universe!!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/zWjEJIyB3n
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto) December 9, 2019
Short hair
No wigs
Miss Universe 👌
Y’all ladies shud copy some notes 😪 pic.twitter.com/ouLbAPIo7W— underrated⚡ (@conradMC6) December 9, 2019
Congratulations to a black queen for winning Miss Universe. Africa is proud. pic.twitter.com/rqjOkI91eP
— ᴏᴍᴀsᴏʀᴏ ᴀʟɪ ᴏᴠɪᴇ™☤ (@OvieAli) December 9, 2019
Miss Universe 2019 is South Africa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FgW3Qq3uZe
— Céline Nse (@ceeyline) December 9, 2019
Congratulations to the new Miss Universe, South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi! You are #TheLeaderIWant! pic.twitter.com/FxuYL9rWq6
— The Leader I Want (@theleaderiwant) December 9, 2019
Everyone needs a bestie like Miss Nigeria. (Pushing her way through to get to Miss South Africa) “Walk! Walk! Walk, baby! Go take your walk!” Congrats, Miss South Africa! A well deserved Miss Universe! pic.twitter.com/veaVN9I7xB
— SecretBachelor(ette)Fan (@EtteFan) December 9, 2019
Congratulations #miss universe pic.twitter.com/A6WIes8YZl
— EAZY-P ZA (@EAZYPZA2) December 9, 2019
#ZozibiniTunzi it’s actually the first time we have a BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN MISS UNIVERSE. FINALLY SOME ONE WHO LOOKS AND REPRESENTS BLACKNESS HAS WON. I’M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/YXupZ3CQ0O
— EmbraceYourFlaws (@lesedi_selota) December 9, 2019
A huge congratulations to Miss #SouthAfrica @zozitunzi being crowned #MissUniverse 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/4QwZjFJSWN
— Sketchy Bongo (@SketchyBongo) December 9, 2019
One of the highlights of Tunzi’s win was her closing speech at the event when she said, “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.”