Zozibini Tunzi Shares A Lot Of Sense Of Humour During Her Homecoming Q&A!

Zozibini Tunzi at O.R Tambo for her Homecoming. Pic - Yolanda van der Stoep
“I am so thrilled to be home. I can feel the energy and the passion and it has been truly special. This win hasn't just been about me and I share it with all South Africans.”
- Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi 

 Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi arrived this morning at O.R International airport with Out African Airways flight just after 9h30 and her fans, dignitaries and media were waiting to welcome her for her official homecoming. After all the celebrations she answered some questions about her return home and how her life has changed since she took the crown. 

 We loved it when asked about the first meal she is going to have, she was not shy to quickly respond that its definitely Nandos. We just wonder if Nandos uses Aromat on their ingredients as we know our queen loves it! 

 Here are some of the questions below from the Q&A below:
 
How do you feel about your triumphant homecoming tour?
The support from South Africans came way before I won Miss Universe. The minute I stepped on that flight to Atlanta I knew I was taking South Africa with me. I took that flight as a single person but stood on that stage representing millions back home. Their undying support and love have never stopped. Coming home I get to finally touch and feel that love in person and celebrate it together. I cannot think of a better emotion.
 
You were at OR Tambo to meet Siya Kolisi and the rest of the squad when they arrived home after winning the Rugby World Cup last year. How do you now feel being given this same honour?
I feel absolutely privileged. I remember standing in the airport when the Springboks arrived after their win. The energy and the atmosphere are still indescribable. I don’t think I had ever seen so much joy in one place. It extended way beyond the airport into the whole country for days. If I can be responsible for bringing joy and pride into people’s lives like that, I will feel extremely honoured.
 
What message do you have for your fans?
I don’t know if I have fans. I like to think of them as my supporters and my message to them is to believe in the power of dreams and capabilities. The world will take away so much from you, but your dreams and abilities are yours to believe in and to take care of and to fight for. I want them to be stubborn and resilient.
 
What has your life been like since your win in December? Has it lived up to expectations?
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 have been to places I never thought I would go and have met people I never imagined I would meet. The platform Miss Universe has given me has exceeded my wildest expectations.
 
What have been some of the highlights?
I had never had the opportunity to travel before and I recently went to Indonesia. It was such a beautiful experience. I met Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a woman I admired growing up in South Africa as a girl child. She is the executive director of United Nations Women. Being a part of that UN Women meeting and having the opportunity to work with them was something I had always dreamt of and that dream has now been realised.
 
What has the last few months been like in the US?
I have been settling in very well. I try to walk around whenever I can to familiarise myself with the city so it doesn’t feel so strange. Most of the time I am working and doing a lot of media interviews which is a big part of my job as the spokesperson for the Miss Universe Organization. I also think that being a South African has held me in good stead – we are so diverse and that has really helped.
 
You were on a few big US talk shows. Tell us about that?
They were great experiences. I think my most powerful tool as Miss Universe is my voice and my platform and making sure that I use the platform responsibly to speak about issues that are closest to my heart and issues that matter in the world. Being on these shows gave me the ability to send my message to an even bigger audience and that has truly been a blessing.
 
What have you missed most about South Africa?
I have missed my family so much. I miss the food, the music and our rich culture. There’s something about home that you just can’t find anywhere else in the world.
 
What is the first meal you’re going to have when you are back home?
Definitely Nandos. They don’t have one around where I live in New York and I am dying for some Nandos.
 
How important is it to visit your home town?
It is extremely important. I especially want to connect with the youth from where I come from because it is important for them to see that they can become so much more than they imagine.
 
What message do you have for those thinking of entering Miss South Africa 2020?
I say, do it! You have absolutely nothing to lose. All you have to do is fill in a form and arrive as you are. I never compromised who I was and what I stood for in that competition. I believed in my truth. I lived it and I spoke it. I also want to point out that it’s not an easy ride which is why it is important to be strong - both mentally and emotionally.
 
How do you feel about meeting President Ramaphosa at SONA?
He is the leader of our country. I feel privileged to get the chance to meet him and to be invited to such an important South African event.
 
You want to build a school in the Eastern Cape. Can you give us more details?
I want to help build a school in my hometown. I grew up there and have seen the struggles learners go through to get a decent education. Every year the Eastern Cape is seen as one of the worst performing provinces and this is due a number of factors, infrastructure being one of them. Buildings and classrooms are crucial elements of learning environments. If learners do not have a roof under which they can learn we are already setting them up for failure. Every child deserves a chance at a brighter future and that is why building this school is so important to me.
 
What do you want to say to young women in South Africa?
I want to tell them that they have everything it takes inside them to achieve their wildest dreams. They are not the weakest link and should never be made to think by anyone that they are. Their role in the world matters and the time is now to step into their power.
 
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About the Miss Universe Organisation
The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) is a global community that empowers women to realise their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success.  MUO believes that every woman should be “Confidently Beautiful”. The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, and MISS TEEN USA® programmes provide the 10,000 women who participate annually with an international platform to affect positive change through influential humanitarian and professional efforts. The contestants and titleholders are leaders and role models in their communities, develop personal and professional goals, and inspire others to do the same. The Miss Universe Organisation is an Endeavor company. To learn more, visitwww.missuniverse.com.
 

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