Photo credit: Qhawekazi Mazaleni/Instagram
South Africa has a new queen! During the weekend, the 24-year-old Qhawekazi Mazaleni from Gonubie, East London, was crowned Miss South Africa 2025 at a glittering final held at the SunBet Arena in Tshwane.
The 67th edition of the national pageant wasn’t all about crowns and gowns — it marked a new chapter for the Miss South Africa Organization with the launch of Empower Youth Africa (EYA), a flagship initiative aimed at equipping young South Africans with the tools to drive social change.
Host Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtangathe evening combined elegance with purpose. Performances from Makhadzi and Long Mavuso set the tone for an evening that celebrated talent, ambition and unity. The performance ended with a composed but emotional Qhawekaza receiving her crown from the outgoing queen Mia lie Rouxwhile Luyanda Zuma and Karabo Marek they were declared the first and second princesses.
Qhawekazi’s story is one of both heart and intellect. A speech therapist and master’s student at the University of Pretoria, she currently focuses her research on autism. Before joining the pageant, she was already making her mark as a literacy advocate — even writing and publishing an isiXhosa children’s book that helps young readers learn to read and count in their own language.
After her win, Qhawekazi spoke about what her reign means to her and the vision she hopes to bring to life:
As someone who has experienced the new era of Miss South Africa from the inside, I can’t wait to share this journey with you. Our mission is rooted in significant changes in our communities that will continue beyond my reign.
This journey is not just mine to walk, but this incredible community we have formed together.
As Miss South Africa 2025, Qhawekazi will also serve as the first ambassador for the Empower Youth Africa (EYA) initiative, which focuses on youth empowerment through education, entrepreneurship, health and civic engagement.
Her reign will include a £1m prize money, a fully furnished luxury apartment and a range of sponsorships and gifts.
