Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi received a tumultuous welcome when she returned to her rural village in the Eastern Cape this week.
Crowds lined the streets as the homecoming queen’s cavalcade slowly wound its way from the Mthatha Airport, through to Tsolo, the tiny hamlet she grew up in.
The crowds chanted, sang, ululated and danced as they welcomed the returning daughter of the soil who was coming home for the first time since she was crowned Miss South Africa on Women’s Day.
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A post shared by Zozibini Tunzi(@zozitunzi) on Aug 18, 2019 at 8:54am PDT
Tunzi was overwhelmed by the reception. “I cannot believe how many people came out to greet me. I feel so welcomed by my community. These people influenced my life and the choices have I made. I owe a big debt of gratitude to them. All I can say is thank you,” she said.
In his welcome address, the executive mayor of the Sidwadweni District Municipality, Thokozile Sokanyile, described how proud the people of the area were of her.
Miss South Africa 2019, Zozibini Tunzi arrives on Sunday, August 18th, 17H15 at the Mthatha Airport where she will address her community. Picture: Yolande Feni
The new Miss South Africa, in her acceptance speech, promised to campaign for better educational opportunities for the Eastern Cape.
Her words were gratefully heard by members of the community where she herself received her early education.
While she is on her homecoming tour, Tunzi’s visit will be celebrated with the observance of traditional rituals performed by the elders and the village chief.
Miss SA 2019 Zozibini Tunzi received a warm welcome in her Village of Sidwadweni in Tsolo Eastern Cape, Dignitaries including Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services Stella Ndabeni Abrahams. Picture: BHEKI RADEBE
Young girls who lined the streets, who no doubt dream of the possibility of following in Tunzi’s footsteps, shouted out her name and took selfies with her.
Picture: Facebook
Ever gracious, Tunzi made a special effort to give attention to the young women saying: “This was me just a few years ago.”
Tunzi spent the night in Sidwadweni and woke up to a traditional ceremony thanking the ancestors for the achievement, with the local chief, before heading to the small town of Dutywa, where she grew up with her teacher mother.
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A post shared by Zozibini Tunzi(@zozitunzi) on Aug 19, 2019 at 2:23am PDT
Dutywa, on the N2 from Mthatha to East London, was expected to come to a standstill as it welcomed Miss South Africa officially at 1pm with gospel artists such Betusile Mcinga, Bunono, Anathi and many more.
Cape Times