Twenty-five-year-old Qhawekazi Mazaleni, a speech and language therapist, was crowned Miss South Africa 2025 on Saturday night in a glittering ceremony that organisers say celebrated not only beauty but also empathy, leadership, and social impact.
Mazaleni, who hails from the Eastern Cape, holds a degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Therapy and is currently pursuing a master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, focusing her research on autism.
Her passion for communication, she says, is deeply rooted in her upbringing and cultural background.
“My mom worked as a clerk at the Department of Education, and my dad works as a manager at Eskom. My mom is Sotho and my dad is Xhosa, and although we grew up predominantly speaking isiXhosa at home, they shaped my cultural and linguistic curiosity,” she said after her crowning.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was among the first to congratulate the new Miss South Africa, describing her as “an advocate for the empowerment of women and the education of our nation’s youth.”
He also extended his best wishes to runners-up Luyanda Zuma and Karabo Mareka, commending all finalists for “showcasing the intelligence and resilience of South African women.”
“Our newest national flag bearer’s vision bodes well for her reign and beyond,” Ramaphosa wrote on X.
Mazaleni’s reign is already being lauded for its focus on language inclusion and education.
Fluent in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, and currently learning Sepedi and isiZulu, she says she aims to embody South Africa’s linguistic richness and promote multilingual communication.
“Communication is connection,” she often says—a motto that defines both her professional and advocacy work.
Beyond the runway, Mazaleni is the author of a children’s book in isiXhosa aimed at improving literacy and numeracy among young learners.
She hopes to have it translated into all 11 official South African languages, underscoring her mission to make learning inclusive.
Her therapeutic work, she adds, focuses on “bridging cultural and linguistic gaps in speech therapy” and ensuring that the profession is responsive to South Africa’s diverse realities.
“Pageantry is about impact,” she said. “If I could fulfil one wish, I would launch workshops for teachers and parents in underserviced communities—helping them share resources and find creative ways to build their own.”
For her triumph, Mazaleni walks away with R1 million ($58,048.70) in cash, a fully furnished luxury apartment, and a host of sponsorships. But for her, the true prize is the platform.
“The crown is not a decoration—it’s a responsibility,” she declared in her acceptance speech, promising to use her voice to empower youth and promote linguistic inclusivity across the country.
As she embarks on her reign, Mazaleni’s story is resonating with many South Africans—proof that beauty, intellect, and purpose can exist harmoniously in service of national unity and communication.