Qhawekazi Mazaleni Crowned Miss South Africa 2025...Click to Read More >>➤

Pretoria, South Africa (26 October 2025) – The SunBet Arena in Pretoria witnessed a historic moment on Saturday evening as Qhawekazi Mazaleni was crowned the 67th Miss South Africa. The 24-year-old from Gonubie, East London, triumphed over eight other finalists in a glittering ceremony, receiving the crown from outgoing titleholder Mia le Roux.

Luyanda Zuma earned the position of First Princess, while Karabo Mareka was named Second Princess. The new queen expressed overwhelming emotion following her victory.

“My heart is so incredibly full. Thank you so so much, I am so incredibly lost for words, but my heart is filled with gratitude,” Qhawekazi shared immediately after her crowning moment.

A Scholar and Speech Therapist

Long before her pageant victory, Qhawekazi Mazaleni had established herself as a dedicated scholar and advocate. She holds a degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy from Stellenbosch University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pretoria, with a specialized focus on autism.

Her linguistic abilities are as impressive as her academic credentials. Fluent in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, she is actively learning Sepedi and isiZulu. This commitment to language acquisition reflects her core belief that communication access matters profoundly in building connections across South Africa’s diverse communities.

Championing Education and Representation

The newly crowned Miss South Africa has consistently demonstrated her commitment to education and cultural representation. Her advocacy work predates her pageant success, centered on providing practical tools to help children learn effectively.

Qhawekazi has already authored an isiXhosa children’s book designed to teach reading and counting skills. Her initiative addresses the critical shortage of educational materials in indigenous languages, recognizing that many South African children lack access to books in their home languages.

“Young women don’t always have role models within their own communities to look up to and see themselves reflected; representation gives them permission to dream,” Qhawekazi has stated regarding her mission.

Her platform extends beyond book distribution to empowering families and educators to create learning resources using available materials. She envisions a future where children see their cultures and languages celebrated in the stories they read.

“Through my initiative for increasing access to books I hope to find and share stories that celebrate our cultures, languages and traditions and foster a generation with cultural awareness,” she explained.

Bridging Academia and Advocacy

Qhawekazi’s academic background in speech-language therapy directly informs her advocacy work. The field focuses on closing communication gaps that can hinder children’s academic and social development. This professional expertise positions her uniquely to address educational challenges during her reign as Miss South Africa.

She has been vocal about using the pageant platform for practical, measurable action. Recognizing the hopelessness many young South Africans feel when confronting statistics about limited opportunities, she aims to counter this narrative with visible, tangible initiatives.

The new Miss South Africa represents a generation of leaders who combine intellectual rigor with compassionate service. Her victory signals a year where scholarly achievement and community engagement will take center stage.

As Qhawekazi Mazaleni begins her reign, she brings with her a clear vision for empowering South African youth through education, language preservation, and cultural representation. Her unique blend of academic excellence and practical advocacy promises to make her tenure as Miss South Africa both impactful and inspiring.