FROM TSOLO TO THE UNIVERSE

“WE SHOULD BE TEACHING YOUNG GIRLS TO BECOME LEADERS”

Hailed as the daughter of the African soil, newly crowned Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has redefined what beauty pageants mean, disrupted society’s beauty standards, and is known for being the woman who wants every little girl’s face reflected in hers. And yet, when I nervously walk into her dressing room, she introduces herself to me as if I don’t already know who she is.

Glamour: what does your win mean to you?

Zozibini tunzi: The idea of someone who looks like me winning a beauty pageant was unheard of before my win. It broke down society’s one-dimensional perception of what it means to be beautiful. It’s also given validation to so many young girls who grew up not feeling beautiful because of the colour or texture of their skin.

Glamour: how did the response you received on social media after you won make you feel?

Zt: I was a young girl from Tsolo, a village in the Eastern Cape, for whom the idea of winning Miss Universe seemed unattainable. To receive love and feedback from people from around the world was awesome.

Glamour: At Miss universe, you mentioned that young girls should take up space and cement themselves in society. what did you mean by that?

Zt: I don’t want young girls to be afraid of their power. As women, we tend to be scared of our potential because the world dictates the roles men and women should fulfil. But we should be teaching young girls to become leaders and be confident about their beauty without having to apologise for wanting to wear a boss outfit, put on boss makeup and have a boss attitude.

Glamour: You’ve vowed to use your platform to raise awareness of gender-based violence. how do you intend to do that?

Zt: Men must start teaching young boys to consider girls as equal to them. Not only are we fighting gender-based violence, but also bias, stereotyping and inequality. When I was growing up, a boy would hit a girl on the playground. She’d cry, and everyone would say, “Oh, that boy probably likes you and that’s why he hit you.” That would influence how the children grew up, programmed to believe that violence means love. Instead of reacting like that, we must teach the boy to pick a flower if he feels animosity towards the girl. Then he must give her that flower and tell her that her dress looks beautiful. See more behind the scenes moments with Zozibini Tunzi on glamour.co.za