South Africa has crowned a new queen! Over the weekend, 24-year-old Qhawekazi Mazaleni from Gonubie, East London, took home the title of Miss South Africa 2025 in a stunning finale at the SunBet Arena in Tshwane.
The 67th edition of the event went beyond beauty and pageantry — it introduced a fresh chapter for the Miss South Africa Organisation with the debut of Empower Youth Africa (EYA), a new program created to equip young people with tools for real social impact.
Hosted by Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtanga, the night was a perfect blend of style and purpose. Performances from Makhadzi and Langa Mavuso brought energy and emotion to the stage, setting the mood for a celebration of ambition and empowerment. The evening ended with Qhawekazi, calm but emotional, receiving her crown from outgoing queen Mia le Roux, while Luyanda Zuma and Karabo Mareka were named First and Second Princess.
Qhawekazi’s journey is one of passion, intellect, and purpose. A speech therapist and Master’s student at the University of Pretoria, her research focuses on autism. Long before the crown, she had already been advocating for literacy, even writing and publishing an isiXhosa children’s book that helps young readers learn to read and count in their native language.
After her win, she reflected on the deeper meaning of her new role:
“This journey is not mine alone to walk. I carry with me a community that believes in growth and impact. The Miss South Africa platform is about more than beauty — it’s about building lasting change.”
As Miss South Africa 2025, Qhawekazi will also serve as the first ambassador for Empower Youth Africa (EYA), championing initiatives centered on education, entrepreneurship, health, and civic responsibility.
Her reign comes with a ₦1 million cash prize, a luxury apartment, and several sponsorships and brand partnerships — but more importantly, a platform to lead with purpose and inspire transformation.
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