Reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has been in high spirits since her arrival back in the country for the recently-concluded Miss South Africa 2020 pageant which was held this past Saturday. She and current Miss South Africa, Sasha-Lee Olivier appeared together at a media conference at The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.
After a Tweep found an opportunity to compliment Zozibini for her contribution in changing the perception of beauty that was previously tied to Miss South Africa, the tweep tried to insult women who wear weaves in the process, but Miss Universe was quick to correct the tweep and set them straight. Zozibini didn't mince her words as she made it clear that she is for all women, regardless of appearance.
It's actually not about that. It's about autonomy. The ability of women expressing themselves however they choose to. It's about saying we are all beautiful in our natural hair and in weaves for those who choose to. It's not a competition but a celebration of ALL Women❤ https://t.co/YQsO4Z9y2l
The misguided tweep initially tweeted in Xhosa and then tweeted the same thing in Tshi-Venda.
"@zozitunzi Niyabavithiza straight ngoku aba sisi be weave. Masithembe nalo sisi uzonyathela ezinyathelweni zakho abe ngu Miss Universe
@abigailmusida Ndo dakala zwa huri vhathu vha zwo tshi divha huri having a weave thohoni doesn't mean you're beautiful. You're beautiful"
In isiXhosa, he said;
"You are truly giving these weave girls a hard time. Let us hope that the current Miss South Africa will also follow in your footsteps and become Miss universe."
"You have done the decent thing and shown that having a weave doesn't mean that you are beautiful. You're beautiful."
To which Zozibini made it clear where her stance is with regards to women and their beauty.
"It's actually not about that. It's about autonomy. The ability of women expressing themselves however they choose to. It's about saying we are all beautiful in our natural hair and in weaves for those who choose to. It's not a competition but a celebration of ALL Women"
Shudufhadzo revealed that she didn’t feel pressure following in the footsteps of reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.
“When I first saw her, I saw my own face reflected. Before that I didn’t realise that people who looked like me could compete and win on international stages. She opened the door for me and allowed me to take up my own space. I’m not worried about comparisons – they aren’t a bad thing at all. I’m awed to be following in her footsteps.”
Shudu became a firm favourite with her authentic look. Her striking beauty, natural bald head, and well-informed answers had South Africa convinced that she is the next Miss SA 2020, explaining how she decided to cut her hair she says,
“I cut my hair in 2015. I was walking back from gym and I saw a salon and went there to cut. The reason why I decided to cut my hair It was for freedom and I attach too much importance to my hair because if I validate myself through my hair then we have a problem, so it was more from my personal feeling and also it is cheaper, "
We hope more women are inspired to love themselves in any shape or form they feel comfortable in and men, including Ntsiki Mazwai, can finally leave weaves be.
