This week, these girls received a warm send-off from the treasury MEC in the Free State, Gadija Brown, at Tsogo Sun Hotel in Bloemfontein, in light of them being funded to go meet Tunzi as she arrived at the O.R Tambo International Airport, from the United State of America (USA) on Saturday. Following her arrival at O.R. Tambo, Tunzi spoke during a briefing held by South African Airways, Mercedes Benz and Sun International about what her win means for her and the country.

“It’s huge for everyone, because I feel like it was never just about me. I always had a mission and I always had a message. So that’s why every morning when I wake and I’m so tired, I remember why I started,” says Tunzi. She also says seeing the young girls in the crowd is affirmation she is moving in the right direction.

According to the provincial treasury department these fifty young girls were selected as a part of the #TakeUpSpace campaign which was initiated by Bangi Msikinya following Tunzi’s crowning. OFM listeners can remember during the pageant’s Question and Answer section on 9 December 2019, Tunzi called for young girls to be afforded the opportunity to occupy leadership positions and take up space. Msikinya’s campaign calls for young girls to be exposed to all this possible. Brown is quoted as telling the girls they must “never be apologetic about their personality”.

Brown has always been a staunch advocate for the youth. Following her appointment in 2019, she revealed that youth entrepreneurship is the Free State’s most important weapon in the ongoing war against a high unemployment rate and a stagnant economy. The MEC lauded the youth, especially those living in the township, for their resourcefulness and ability to hustle as the country faces a soaring unemployment rate.

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