Southern African beauties in Miss Universe

Let's meet my favorite Miss Universe contestants whose heritage is from Southern Africa. They are from various ethnic groups and tribes native to the region of Southern Africa. Because of their region's colonial history, these African beauties speak both European languages and a variety of African languages native to their region.

Libuseng Khoali represented Lesotho in the Miss Universe 1978 pageant held in Acapulco, Mexico. Nicknamed "Joan", she hails from Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which is landlocked by the Republic of South Africa. Being Lesotho's first delegate in the pageant, she was a favorite among the press and was noted for competing with her natural afro hair.

Augustine Masilela won the inaugural Miss Universe South Africa pageant in 1995. Before winning the national pageant, Augustine was working as a TV anchor while pursuing a degree in communications. Fluent in English, Southern Sotho, Zulu and Tswana, Augustine soon became South Africa's representative in the Miss Universe 1995 pageant held in Windhoek, Namibia. Her participation was noteworthy as South African representatives have been banned in the pageant since 1985 for it's Apartheid policies. Since the abolition of Apartheid in 1994, Augustine was the first black woman to become South Africa's official delegate in the Miss Universe pageant. The charming black beauty finished among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

Mpule Keneilwe Kwelagobe won the title of Miss Botswana 1997. Hailing from Gaborone, her name "Mpule" means "the one who comes with the rain" in her native Tswana language. Before winning the national title, she was a high school student and was active in sports such as netball and track. Mpule soon represented Botswana in the Miss World 1997 pageant held in Seychelles. Years later, Mpule won the inaugural Miss Universe Botswana pageant in 1999. By the time she won her second national beauty title, Mpule has worked as a model while also pursuing a degree in electronics engineering. The statuesque African beauty soon represented Botswana in the Miss Universe 1999 pageant held in Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago. Being Botswana's first delegate in the Miss Universe pageant, Mpule became a crowd favorite and was announced as among the Top 10 semi-finalists. With her charisma and confident responses to interview questions, Mpule eventually won the title of Miss Universe 1999. During her reign, Mpule became active in HIV/AIDS prevention projects back in her native Botswana. After her reign, she was appointed as a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations for her humanitarian advocacy.

Ziphozakhe Zokufa finished as 1st princess in the Miss South Africa 2014 pageant. Before participating in the national pageant, Ziphozakhe was working as a model while pursuing a degree in TV production. Hailing from Port Elizabeth, she is fluent in English, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. She is also an accomplished singer and musician, being an expert in playing several musical instruments. Ziphozakhe soon ascended to the title of Miss South Africa 2014 after Rolene Strauss, the original titleholder of Miss South Africa 2014, won the international title of Miss World 2014 and thus, had to vacate the national title. The statuesque African beauty soon became South Africa's delegate in the Miss Universe 2014 pageant held in Miami, Florida.

Zozibini Tunzi won the title of Miss South Africa 2019. Born and raised in Tsolo, she is of Xhosa ancestry and her name "Zozibini" means "to receive with both hands" in her native Xhosa language. At the time she won the national title, she was based in Cape Town pursuing a bachelor's degree in public relations management. Zozibini soon became South Africa's representative in the Miss Universe 2019 pageant held in Atlanta, Georgia. Noted for her cropped, natural afro hair and slender figure, she became a favorite during the pageant. After an impressive performance during the pageant finals, the stunning African beauty eventually won the title of Miss Universe 2019, becoming the third South African delegate to win the title. After her reign, she appeared in a minor role in the 2022 American film, The Woman King.