‘She’s always been the cutest in our eyes’: Zuri is SA’s cutest toddler for 2024

An adorable one-year-old has carried on her family legacy after being crowned SA’s cutest toddler for 2024.

After receiving 250+ nominations in The Advertiser’s Cutest Toddler Competition, one-year-old Zuri has taken out the title as the state’s most adorable tot.

“She’s always been the cutest in our eyes,” says mum Yemaya Mkandala.

“She’s just really sweet and friendly.”

Yemaya Mkandala and Taman Karkuki with their daughter Zuri, 2, their cutest toddler competition winner. Picture: Tom Huntley

It’s no surprise that Zuri has received the crown, as winning runs in her genes.

“My mum actually was voted cutest toddler in Port Lincoln when she was two and my partner was voted cutest baby in Iraq,” Ms Mkandala said.

“So it’s a bit of a legacy.”

When Zuri isn’t delighting her family with her funny jokes and affectionate nature, you will find her singing her favourite songs to herself.

“She loves singing and she has a really lovely singing voice.”

Ms Mkandala and her partner, Taman Karkuki along with Zuri’s fur-siblings, Missy, Pepito and Chloe are often treated to impromptu performances from their little girl.

Zuri is the competition winner. Picture: Tom Huntley

“We’ve always sung lullabies to her and other songs, so she’s always been surrounded by music and she has just really picked it up,” Ms Mkandala said.

“She like nursery rhymes and her favourites at the moment are The Wiggles and she’s Baby Shark’s number one fan, she will not stop.”

The Woodville Gardens household were excited to hear the news of Zuri’s success, with Ms Mkandala looking forward to sharing the story of Zuri’s win at her 21st birthday.