We travelled with the former Miss Universe, South African Zozibini Tunzi to the wilds of Saseka Tented Camp in South Africa’s Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, to showcase some of the stellar fashion coming out of Southern Africa. While we were there, we took some time out to talk to Zozi about the influence she wields as a rebel beauty queen, her work in social justice, gender equity and women’s empowerment, and her impressive vocal skills.

Perched on a bend of the seasonal Monwana River, Saseka Tented Camp is a memorable destination. Its name, meaning ‘beautiful’ in Tsonga, aptly describes everything from its tented suites to the relaxed atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and personalized service. The camp features eight 200 m² elevated tented suites, a two-bedroom villa, and a central public area, blending the charm and romance of traditional tented safaris with contemporary design..

Designed by the award-winning design duo Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, the camp’s color palette is the first thing you notice. Inspired by its surroundings in hues of ivory, dark green, apple, sage and subtle flushes of pink that mimic the tones found just outdoors. The next thing is the ceiling in the main area, an extraordinarily statuesque structure that imitates the natural dappled light of a tree canopy. Here, conically shaped ‘stained-glass’ lampshades reminiscent of tree-pod blossoms and a mobile in the main area, constructed from metal, rice paper and rattan, provide additional illumination. The mobile-chandelier captures the overall design philosophy: smart repurposing and a considered mix of old and new as ball-and-claw and riempie furniture live alongside contemporary metal pieces.

It’s clear that Silvio and Lesley’s imaginations were fuelled by the surrounding nature for even the canvas ceilings in the tented suites are noteworthy, printed as they are with the scanned pressings of different species from the National Herbarium. A novel bedtime experience that allows you to lie in bed and read the captions detailing the different species found outdoors.

A two-bedroom villa, and a main public space, combines the nostalgia and romance of tented safaris with 21st-century design. Each air-conditioned suite has its own private pool, outdoor shower, and game-viewing sundeck. With only canvas between you and the wild, guests are truly immersed in the sounds and sights of the bush.

As a model, actress, former Miss Universe, TV presenter and philanthropist, Zozi Tunzi is a trailblazer and powerful role model, and we loved getting to know her in this magnificent bush setting. Her quiet confidence and fierce intellect feel deeply feminine to us. Here’s our conversation:

Tell us about your childhood?
I grew up in a small rural village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. I was a shy, quiet child who didn’t have a lot of friends but as the second of four daughters I had all I needed with my parents and sisters. I attended a small school where I was a member of a reading and debating club. It was there that I discovered my enjoyment of being in the spotlight, a realization sparked by landing a small role in a school play. This was a gradual awakening; I cherished my quiet life, yet this newfound passion had been ignited. Reflecting on it now, it seems as though one experience led to the other. That remains true for me even today..

How did your childhood equip you for your roles as Miss South Africa and Miss Universe respectively?
Education was important to my parents and their efforts to make sure that my sisters and I went to a school that could empower and equip us for the world was a profound blessing. As kids, we knew that we had to do well at school and go to university. Despite our disadvantaged background, our parents placed a high priority on education and chose to enroll us in an institution known for its strong academic focus. It wasn’t a private school, but it was one step higher than the education you would get in a normal village school. Our cousins went to school in the city and when we visited them, the differences in education were obvious in terms of the infrastructure and facilities they enjoyed compared to ours. Nevertheless, the education I received and the experiences that it opened up for me as a result, were instrumental in getting me to where I am today. This is definitely a strong achievement for me.

You made history in 2019 when you became the first ever black South African woman to win Miss Universe. In a world where a woman’s hair is her crowning glory and inextricably linked to her sexuality, your hair was short and natural. Did it feel like a defining moment at the time?
Yes definitely. When I won Miss South Africa in 2019, I’d had short hair for two years already and so it seemed ridiculous to change my hair for a competition. I wanted to walk into that space as I was and challenge the perception of what it is to be beautiful. It was intentional on my part; it was all about the platform and what I could do with that.

How did you combine the stereotype of a beauty queen with your desire to be impactful and make a positive change for women?
Maybe it’s because of how I introduce myself to the world, but beauty has always come in second place to what I have to say. I haven’t been in a lot of places where people disregard my intellect. In fact, within the pageant realm, my most challenging obstacles were whether I belonged or whether I was even beautiful. By standing for the opposite of everything that had gone before and placing myself in a space where I clearly did not belong, I was able to trigger change.

So, you saw Miss Universe as a platform?
Yes exactly, the crown defines what Miss Universe is about in that moment. So, my focus was what I could do with it as I had so many important things to say. This was my opportunity to contribute as a global citizen. As much as I wanted to improve my life, I also wanted to play a positive role around the things that keep me up at night.

And what is it that keeps you up at night?
Gender inequality – the differences between what boys and girls can do, and the differences in roles that men and women play in societies. The differences are one thing, but the value and importance placed on these roles bothers me most. Growing up in rural South Africa, the role of women was to follow and be somewhere in the background away from any positions of leadership and I remember wondering as a young girl why that was the case. These are issues that I’ve made central to the work I do with the Zozibinzi Tunzi Foundation.

Having your debut acting role in The Woman King was a big deal in that it was a critically acclaimed film with a superb cast…did it feel like this incredible opportunity for you?
Yes absolutely. “Being able to watch all the talented actors I’ve admired from afar right in front of me inspired me to dream even bigger. It gave me permission to think that maybe I too can have the audacity to believe that I can be like them. I remember my first day on set. I wasn’t shooting but I went to set because I was curious and excited to see. I got there when they were filming a scene where the Agogie were together in song, dressed in all white. There was a shift in the atmosphere that I can’t quite describe. This was my first film I had ever been in and I was having an out of body experience and knew in that moment that I wanted to do this again, I didn’t want this to be my last time in a film. And so with that, I had a new goal and dream. I added that to my list of aspirations.”

Did you come from a patriarchal family?
Not at all, I grew up in a matriarchal home with a lot of women and a supportive father. My Dad is such an incredible, supportive figure in our lives so while I was aware of the systemic, internalized patriarchy that exists in our country as a young girl, I grew up thinking that there were no limits to where I could be or fit in as a woman. What only became obvious much later was the embedded misogyny that exists in women too.

Can you give me an example of what that looks like?
Yes sure, I remember attending a traditional function at a village with my family where we walked into a room with my aunt and my sister and sat down in a row of chairs. Immediately an elderly woman came up to us and told us that the chairs were for men only. I was disturbed and visibly upset but in that moment I knew that I had to be respectful and didn’t want to cause a scene. So we left but I was troubled by it. To make matters worse, the same woman came later to apologize as she had heard who I was. In moments like these its hard to challenge the status quo because obviously for many elderly women that’s how they grew up and how the world was. So my thinking is that these kinds of norms can be dismantled through important inter-generational conversations that thrash out new ways of being and doing things.

Tell us about the Zozibinzi Tunzi Foundation?
My journey has shown me that education not only helped me to understand the world a little better but also gave me the confidence to embrace those opportunities that ultimately gave me direction in life. am deeply appreciative of the life I’ve been given, and in recognition of this, I strive to contribute positively to the world that has shaped my journey. I firmly believe in the strength and capabilities of women, and advocate for providing them with equal opportunities in all spheres. I’m also passionate about teaching young girls to take up space and it’s my belief that the best way to bridge the gender equality gap is through education.

What’s next for you?
I love music and singing is a big creative outlet for me that brings me pure joy. I come from a family where we love to sing and my Mom has an incredible voice so that’s where I get it from. As a communicator and storyteller, I find that singing is yet another avenue for sharing the stories that resonate with me. This pursuit is primarily for my own fulfillment rather than public acclaim, so its significance to me doesn’t hinge on external approval or reception. Navigating the realm of music is an ongoing journey for me, but it’s one that I am thoroughly enjoying..

What message do you have for aspiring young girls and women?
‘Young Girl, your dreams are valid”.

Zozibini Tunzi Foundation
https://www.vivafoundationcuracao.org/zozibini-tunz/

Saseka Tented Camp
https://www.thornybush.com/lodge/saseka-tented-camp/