Press Release
Reigning Miss South Africa Ziphozakhe Zokufa left South Africa this week for Miami where she is representing her country at the 63
rd Miss Universe Pageant on January 25 at the FIU Arena at Florida International University in Doral, Miami.
Zokufa, a 23-year-old model and TV production student from Port Elizabeth, was crowned the new Miss South Africa in December after Rolene Strauss won the Miss World title in London. Zokufa was her first princess.
Zokufa will be representing South Africa against 90 other countries in the competition which is watched worldwide by more than one-billion people.
At the pageant, she will wear two gowns – the national costume designed by Gregg Maragelis from the CTCFD and the finale gown – created by top South African designer Gert Johan Coetzee
Zokufa is fully prepared for Miss Universe and carries the good wishes of all South Africans as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her life. “I have been looking forward to this event from the moment of my crowning and will carry the Miss South Africa title with pride. I not only represent myself but also the entire country. I trust I will make every South African proud.”
The Miss South Africa licence holders, Sun International, and sponsor Cell C, considered a major media event on December 17 to be a combined crowning and farewell because of the lack of time available before her departure for Miami.
Sun International PR Manager, Claudia Henkel, said: “We believe her crowning was a highpoint and Ziphozakhe, from the moment she was crowned, embarked on a 24/7 schedule to prepare for Miss Universe, including photo shoots, interviews, video shoots and fittings. I am confident that she will make us proud, she is incredibly determined, beautiful and confident, considering the limited time she had to prepare.”
“It would be a wonderful achievement should Ziphozakhe win Miss Universe 2014/2015, a truly remarkable celebration for our nation.”