Miss South Africa heads off to compete in Miss Universe

Reigning Miss South Africa, Ziphozakhe Zokufa, left for Miami this week where she will be representing South Africa at the 63rd Miss Universe pageant on January 25, at the FIU Arena at Florida International University.

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,” she said.

The Miss South Africa licence holders, Sun International, and sponsor Cell C, considered a major media event on December 17, last year, to be a combined crowning and farewell because of the lack of time available before her departure for Miami.

Sun International’s public relations manager, Claudia Henkel, said: “We believe her crowning was a high point 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.”