Miss SA Ziphozakhe Zokufa snapped by TVSA's Tazteeq.
Ziphozakhe Zokufa, the 1st Princess to former Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss, was crowned the new Miss South Africa on Wednesday in the light of Strauss’ recent win at the Miss World Pageant.
Zokufa – a 23-year-old Port Elizabeth model and TV production student who at present is studying in Cape Town – will also represent South Africa at the upcoming Miss Universe Pageant which takes place in Miami, Florida in January next year.
“I got to know Rolene well during the run up to Miss South Africa 2014 earlier this year and was thrilled when she was crowned Miss World at the weekend. She will be a wonderful ambassador for our country,” she says.
“I know that I have big shoes to fill but am delighted and humbled that I will get a chance to carry the South African flag as the new Miss South Africa and represent my country to the best of my ability at the Miss Universe Pageant in January.
“I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel this year through my work as a model. I was in Hong Kong when I received the news of my crowning as Miss South Africa and returned home immediately.”
Asked what she wanted to bring to the role as Miss South Africa, Zokufa said: “This has been a lifelong dream for me. I am excited at the opportunities to continue inspiring the young women of South Africa and the country as a whole. This has always been something I have strived for and I can’t wait to immerse myself in the role.”
Zokufa says her parents have always been her ultimate role models: “Together they worked and studied hard. Their success has always inspired me to achieve and never to limit myself.”
The new Miss South Africa loves music. “I have a collection of instruments including the drums, piano, clarinet and guitar and sometimes I write my own compositions. I love travelling, photography and videography. I also love kite-surfing. I have recently bought a ukulele and taught myself to play over YouTube.”
Asked what one thing people would be surprised to know about her, she responds: “People are usually surprised to know that I used to be a professional singer. I travelled abroad representing my province and country. And now I am going to do it again on an international stage.”
From London the new Miss World Rolene Strauss sent the new Miss South Africa her congratulations: “Congratulations. You are a determined and passionate young woman and are going make all South Africans proud.
It is a sentiment echoed by Sun International’s PR Manager Claudia Henkel: “I know that Ziphozakhe will continue the reign with the same commitment, poise and grace and make a meaningful contribution to the lives of many young South Africans. We wish her everything of the best as she represents our country in Miami next year at Miss Universe.”
Says Executive Commercial Communication, Suzette van der Merwe of sponsors Cell C: “Ziphozakhe Zokufa is a beautiful and talented young woman and we know that she will do the country proud. We wish her everything of the best at the Miss Universe pageant next year. Here’s hoping that South Africa has a Miss World and a Miss Universe in one year! Both Ziphozakhe and Rolene embody Cell C’s ‘Believe’ manifesto – that if you can dream it you can achieve it. At Cell C our vision is to support bold, confident and beautiful women. May both these inspirational role models inspire a nation and make a difference.”
The Miss South Africa Pageant is a proud collaboration between Sun International and Cell C. The new Miss South Africa 2015 will be crowned at Sun City on March 29 next year and simulcast live on Mzansi Magic Channel 161 and MNet Channel 101.
For a Q&A with Ziphozakhe please see her TVSA profile:
Ziphozakhe Zokufa