Zozibini Tunzi, a 25-year-old beauty completing her BTech degree in Public Relations (PR) Management, is one of 16 finalists vying for the coveted Miss South Africa crown.

Zozibini, who hails from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, works in the PR Department at Ogilvy and is a hard-core Marvel fan.

She says that her source of inspiration outside her family is Mama Notayimile Gigdimi, a nanny to her younger sister because she sacrificed “the time she should be spending with her family to raise other families’ children”.

The finalists sat down in front of the judges this week to explain why they entered the pageant and Zozibini had this to say: “I want to get to a place where I can provide. This is a starting point for all of that, being independent and building for my family.”

The pageant will take place on Women’s Day, August 9, and will see the winner of the People’s Choice automatically make it to the top 10 on pageant night.

There is close to R3 million in prize money and sponsorships for this year’s glittering pageant, with the winner walking away with R1 million in cash as well as other fabulous prizes.

The brand new Miss South Africa crown has been named Ubuhle Bethungo Lenkosazana which means 'beauty of the rainbow' in isiZulu. The crown weighs more than half a kilogram and boasts 2586 sparkling zirconia stones.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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CPUT PR student Zozibini Tunzi was in “absolute disbelief” when she was crowned Miss South Africa on Women’s Day.

“It’s something that I’ve been wanting for such a long time. I’ve been saying that I need to do something purposeful with my life and this is it, this where I start,” she said shortly after her crowning.
The beauty who hails from the Eastern Cape, hopes to inspire others to be themselves.

“I came into this competition with my natural hair as a symbol of my firm belief in fair representation of any shape and form. And so, through my win, I hope I have inspired people, even if just one person to be themselves at all times and to never compromise their identities, and to insert themselves in spaces where they feel that people like them do not belong. Because the truth is, we do belong and in the words of the actress Lupita Nyong’o ‘Your dreams are valid’.”

Zozibini holds an ND Public Relations Management from CPUT and was completing her BTech at the institution while working full-time at Ogilvy Cape Town before being crowned the most beautiful in the land.

She will receive R1-million in cash as well as a further R2 million worth of sponsorships and prizes, including the use of a luxury Sandton apartment and a Mercedes-Benz cabriolet for a year.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Miss Universe and CPUT alumna, Zozibini Tunzi, received a warm welcome in Cape Town today with CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, thanking her for being proudly CPUT.

Tunzi attended a short meet and greet at the City Hall before addressing the hundreds of Capetonians who had gathered to welcome her to the Mother City.
“From the institution’s side, we are here to say thank you to Zozi for putting our name on the map. We know that she belongs to the world. One thing that is humbling and that we are very grateful for is that, at all times, she has indicated that she comes from CPUT. As an institution we are very proud of you,” said Nhlapo.

Nhlapo added that Zozi had set the bar high, adding that the hoped to welcome here back to CPUT one day. “It is our job to ensure that we create a conducive environment so that we can have other Zozis meet that particular threshold.”

Zozi jokingly asked whether classes had been cancelled for her homecoming. Her message to the “young Zozis out there” was to be confident in themselves.
“As a young Zozi I wasn’t that confident. I knew I had a voice but it was trapped somewhere inside there. When I think about myself being young I want to say ‘speak out more, the world is ready to listen’.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Two CPUT students are vying for the Miss SA crown – following in the footsteps of alumna Zozibini Tunzi who took the title in 2019 and went on to become Miss Universe.

The Miss SA top 30 were recently announced and among the hopefuls are Licalle Isaacs, who is completing her Advanced Diploma in Events Management, and Itumeleng Baloyi, an Advanced Diploma in Project Management student.

Also among the top 30 is Pumeza Zibi who studied Public Relations Management at CPUT.

Licalle is from Plumstead and describes herself as “goal-driven, confident and joyful”.

Her message to young girls and women in South Africa is: “Do not conform or fit in to make everyone around you comfortable. We are all born different and there is a reason for this”.

Itumeleng is from Seshego, Limpopo and is a part-time junior site manager at Wright Engineering, a digital creator and a freelance model.

“The Miss South Africa Organisation is opening doors for the inclusion of all types of women and, as a young woman battling with eczema, I believe that holistic representation is equally important. Given the opportunity I would like to amplify the narrative of how beauty standards are deemed whilst empowering women and the community at large to be empowered,” she said about her decision to enter the competition.

Pumeza is from Heideveld in Cape Town and is a former digital campaign manager for a global media and communications agency that specialises in digital marketing, strategy and advertising.

Asked about her single biggest achievement, she said: “Graduating from my public relations qualification was the first biggest decision that I made from the time I was in high school and this choice would transition me into my early adult life. I am proud of the course I chose and understand why I am passionate about and reaped the rewards”.

The public can now vote for the contestants they would like to see in the Top 10. Each entrant has a number that members of the public can use to vote for on the Miss South Africa website. Licalle’s voting number is 19, Itumeleng’s voting number is 9 and Pumeza’s voting number is 26. To vote via the website or for more info go to: https://www.misssa.co.za/

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Proud CPUT alumna and former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, motivated first year-students during today’s welcoming event and said much of her own moulding happened at CPUT.

The Public Relations graduate, who was crowned Miss South Africa in 2019, said it was a special moment for her to return to her alma mater.

“This is the first time I’m back since graduating so it’s been incredible. I’ve been meaning to come back but there’s just been a lot happening with travel and being out of the country. So being able to find time, especially on a day when there is new students coming in, it’s quite special. “

She said some of the best and fun moments of her life were at CPUT.

Tunzi said the most important lesson she had leant was to be true to herself.

“There are so many things that can change in the world but if you remain unchanged and stand firm in your truth and in your purpose, I think that really takes you a very long way.”

She received a standing ovation from the crowd as she entered the Bellville Stadium and told students it was surreal to be standing in front of them.

“Some few years ago I was you. I was standing in the crowd … excited and nervous, just wondering what my next few years would look like.

“When I was in your shoes as a first-year student, I didn’t know my left from my right. I was still trying to figure out what kind of human being I wanted to be because that’s also very important. And I was also very much in search of my purpose. “

Tunzi said while many students would feel that they were still unsure about life, that was okay.

“You are meant to feel like that right now. This is a time for you to open up yourself to learning.”

“I just want you to know that you don’t have to have everything figured out right now”

The model, actress and motivational speaker told the first-years that when something unfortunate happens to them, they have three choices – “you can either let it define you and never make it out of there, you can let it destroy you or let it strengthen you”.

She also encouraged the students to look after their mental health, including seeking professional help, if possible.

Tunzi ended off with a message of motivation: “People can take a lot of things away from you but an education is something they can never ever take away from you so don’t forget that.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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First-year students and their parents received a warm welcome at the Bellville campus this morning, where the last of three welcoming functions for the week were held.

The new cohort, who filled the Bellville Stadium, were in for a treat as CPUT alumna and former Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi, delivered a special motivational talk.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, welcomed the first-years and said the new students had made a wise choice in selecting CPUT – South Africa’s leading University of Technology.

“Each year we graduate thousands of industry-ready students, many of whom were already earmarked for jobs. CPUT has thus far received 414 000 applications for study in 2023. Keep in mind that we only have 8721 first-year places, so that indicates how coveted a spot at our university is.”

Nhlapo said he, together with his management team were endlessly revolutionising processes and asking the critical question: ‘How can CPUT take full advantage of the opportunity that technology presents’.

“You will experience this technology first-hand in our high-tech laboratories, research facilities, IT facilities and well-resourced libraries. All of these tools will be at your disposal now. Use them and flourish.”

Tunzi, who received a standing ovation from the excited crowd, said it was while she was at CPUT that she learnt some of her biggest lessons.

“This is where I learnt to fail and where I leant to succeed.”

She encouraged the students to invest in their futures.

“Welcome to CPUT. It is a wonderful school and you’re going to love it here.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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