Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa’s win at Miss Universe 2019 on 8th December 2019 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, United States was an iconic one as she was the first black woman from her country to win the title and third win from South Africa.
Zozibini instantly became an inspiration for millions of girls across the globe as she urged women to take up space in the world. Her empowering speech and answer managed to impress everyone across the studios in Atlanta and the millions of people watching her on their screens. Zozi mentioned, “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin and my kind of hair -- was never considered to be beautiful. I think it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”
Since her win to the date, Zozibini has never stopped inspiring people across the world with her strong and confident personality, her thoughts and opinions, and her goofiness. She walked on Miss Universe stage flaunting her natural hair and instantly became a favorite because she was all out there and was not ready to hide under a wig.
Very similar to Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi comes to a queen from Canada who is going to represent the country at Miss Universe 2020 is Nova Stevens who has managed to impress everyone with her impeccable confidence and style but moreover with what she wants to use the platform for. She is a model, actress, spokesperson, mentor, and activist who with her determination and dedication won Miss Universe Canada 2020 crown and earned her a chance to represent Canada at Miss Universe 2020.
Nova recently met her family in Ethiopia after being away from them for 21 years. Nova was sent to Canada at the age of six to have a better life while her family fled a brutal civil war in South Sudan. The desire to make a change in society drove Nova to do things for more people just like her. Being separated from her family and growing up without her parents in Canada, Nova is acutely aware of the importance of fostering the healthy development of children and youth from all walks of life. While continuing to work towards reuniting her family, she is continuously looking for opportunities to serve young Canadians as she is so grateful for the opportunities that being Canadian has given her. Nova is a co-founder and one of the spokespersons for ‘Freedom March Vancouver’ and ‘Black freedom society’ whose mission is to eradicate hate and racism experienced by black and indigenous people of color in our world today.
Just like Zozibini, Nova has a keen interest in making lives better for the future generation and she has been involved with youth leadership programs throughout high school, championed the importance of education for youth, and helped their families foster that environment. She has been passionately studying and raising awareness about ‘Feed it forward’ a Canadian not-for-profit with two main goals: to feed Canadians that are food insecure and to reduce food waste. Its mission is to make a difference in the lives of fellow Canadians who need assistance with securing nutritious food and regular balanced meals.
With such impactful background, deep understanding of what the Miss Universe 2020 platform means to her, Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens is emerging as one of the strongest contenders for the title and if she wins, the history will repeat itself as the world would witness back-to-back two powerful and strong black Miss Universe queens.
Before this, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad and Tobago was crowned as the queen, and the following year, Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana was crowned as Miss Universe 1999 at the end of the event finale. Nova has surely managed to impress everyone with her active lifestyle and her the motto she lives her life with, “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness,” by Oprah Winfrey. She had explained that those words had inspired her from a very young age and learned that your past doesn’t define you but strengths you.
Nova wants to leave a legacy of love, philanthropy, and impact. She believes that with Zozibini being one of the most loved Miss Universe queens, and her representing Canada at Miss Universe 2020 would help them in creating opportunities for young girls of color. She added, “I will also use this platform to continue the fight of injustice and racial inequality experienced by black indigenous people of color. Black Lives Matter isn’t a movement, it’s a way of life. In preparation, I am training and seeking mentorship from the most valuable people.”
Will we have a back-to-back black woman wearing the Miss Universe crown-like Miss Universe 1998-1999?