East London's Qhawekazi Mazaleni Takes the Crown
Qhawekazi Mazaleni, a 24-year-old from Gonubie, East London, has been crowned Miss South Africa 2025. The prestigious event took place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the SunBet Arena, Times Square, in Pretoria. Mazaleni, who now resides in Randburg, was visibly emotional as she accepted the title, succeeding the outgoing Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux.
The 67th edition of the pageant saw Luyanda Zuma (23) from Pietermaritzburg named First Princess, while Karabo Mareka (27) from Alexandra secured the title of Second Princess.
A Reign Focused on Education and Empowerment
Mazaleni's victory comes with a substantial prize package valued at over R3 million. This includes a R1 million cash prize, a luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé, and a three-bedroom penthouse apartment for the duration of her reign.
A passionate advocate for education and youth empowerment, Mazaleni 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, specializing in Autism. Her platform emphasizes inclusive education and addressing the root causes of unemployment. She has already authored and published a children's book in isiXhosa to promote literacy.
During the competition, Mazaleni shared her motto: 'It's only embarrassing if you're embarrassed. Don't be afraid to be seen trying,' reflecting her commitment to self-development and inspiring change.
Pageant Details and International Representation
The finale, hosted by Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtanga, featured performances from various South African artists. The judging panel included notable figures such as Dr. Tamryn Green Nxumalo (Miss SA 2018), Ndavi Nokeri (Miss SA 2022), actress Cindy Mahlangu, broadcast journalist Heidi Giokos, and brand strategist Thebeetsile Ikalafeng.
In a significant change for the organization, Mazaleni will not represent South Africa at the Miss Universe 2025 competition. The Miss South Africa Organisation confirmed that due to ongoing restructuring and time constraints, the focus for international representation will be on Miss World. Mellisa Nayimuli will compete under the Miss Universe South Africa banner.
6 Comments
Raphael
Congratulations to Qhawekazi on her win, she seems like an amazing individual. But it's a shame she won't be representing us at Miss Universe, that competition usually gets more global attention.
Leonardo
Not going to Miss Universe? That's a huge letdown for the winner.
Raphael
All glitz and no real impact. Just another rich girl getting richer.
Leonardo
R3 million prize money? What a waste, that could solve real problems.
Raphael
It's wonderful that her platform is about literacy and education, which are crucial for our country. However, the commercialization of these events often overshadows the genuine philanthropic intentions of the winners.
paracelsus
It's great to see a Miss SA with such a strong academic background and a passion for education. However, I still question if these pageants are truly relevant or just a relic of the past.