Qhawekazi Mazaleni has been crowned Miss South Africa 2025 following a glittering ceremony at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday, 25 October.
The 24-year-old from Gonubie, East London, took the crown from outgoing titleholder Mia le Roux in a night that celebrated South Africa’s culture, creativity, and female empowerment.
The event marked the 67th edition of the national pageant and was themed “Heritage in Motion”, spotlighting South Africa’s cultural diversity through fashion and performance.
Mazaleni was chosen from nine finalists, with Luyanda Zuma named first princess and Karabo Mareka second princess. The finale was hosted by Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtanga and featured performances by artists such as Makhadzi, Karen Zoid, Langa Mavuso, and Bucie .
As part of her prize package, Mazaleni will receive a cash reward of R1 million, a fully furnished luxury apartment, and sponsorship deals that include travel and fashion opportunities.
The Miss SA Organisation said her reign will focus on “impact-driven initiatives” that reflect her commitment to education and youth development.
Mazaleni’s journey to the crown began years earlier at Beaconhurst High School in East London, where she entered her first beauty pageant and was named First Princess.
She later earned a degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy from Stellenbosch University and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pretoria, with her research focused on autism.
Fluent in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, Mazaleni is passionate about bridging language and cultural gaps in education and therapy. She has published a children’s book in isiXhosa that teaches reading and counting and says she wants to promote literacy and cultural representation.
“Representation gives young people permission to dream,” she said, reflecting on her motivation to compete in Miss South Africa .
Her community work centres on creating access to educational resources in under-resourced areas. She hopes to launch workshops for teachers and parents to help them share and develop materials suited to their local contexts.
“Pageantry is about impact,” Mazaleni said.
“Winning the crown gives me a platform to continue that work on a larger scale.”
Beyond her professional goals, Mazaleni describes herself as optimistic and curious.
She enjoys crocheting, running, and writing. Her favourite meal is chilli beef stew with steamed bread, and she says her “idea of perfect happiness” is being surprised with food.
Mazaleni’s message to young women in South Africa is rooted in resilience and self-belief:
“Dare to dream, know who you are, and be relentless in pursuing your purpose.”
As she begins her year as Miss South Africa, she plans to focus on youth empowerment, literacy advocacy, and using her platform to highlight the power of cultural storytelling.
