MISS UNIVERSE Zozibini Tunzi KICKS OFF HER REIGN

SHE’S got the world – the universe – at her feet. Where to from here?

- JEN SU

IT’S certainly an interesting time to be a South African. While the wheels of the bus are threatening to come off on home soil – what with our political parties looking for their ducks (let alone keeping them in a row) and that task, and all others, being made increasingly difficult with our unwanted guest Mr. Load Shedding constantly dropping in – overseas we are slaying, as the slang goes. There was the spectacular triumph of the Sprinkboks in the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and then, to ‘crown’ it all off (so to speak) Zozibini Tunzi didn’t just wave our flag high – she took it into outer space when she took the crown of Miss Universe. It was a moment when the lack of electricity meant nothing, because Zozibini was a star shining so bright, we didn’t need any other illumination. In fact, we at people almost reached for our sunglasses when we got the opportunity to talk to Zozibini herself on the heels of her momentous win. In this interview we find out from the gorgeous model just what it’s like to shoot for the moon and get it – along with everything else – as well as what life is like now she’s on top of the universe.

Congratulations, Zozi! Just a few months ago, it was your first international trip overseas – with New York Fashion Week – and now you’re back in the Big Apple as Miss Universe! And you live there! Can we talk about this serious life transformation?

ZT: I mean, wow! For the last four months, my life has just transformed into something I can’t even imagine. I can’t even explain to people how crazy it is. Just four or five months ago, I was an intern in an advertising agency, and now, I’m Miss Universe, living in New York!