President Ramaphosa celebrates Qhawekazi Mazaleni's Miss SA 2025 win with the nation

Our 67th Miss SA, Qhawekazi Mazaleni, has received an outpouring of support and heartfelt congratulatory messages nationwide after she was crowned Miss SA 2025 on Saturday, October 25, at Sunbet Arena in Pretoria.

The 24-year-old who hails from East London, Eastern Cape, also received a congratulatory message from the South African government, as well as the president of our country.

Taking to X, Ramaphosa wrote: “Warmest congratulations to the Eastern Cape’s Qhawekazi Mazaleni on her crowning as Miss South Africa 2025.

“Our newest national flag bearer is an advocate for the empowerment of women and for the education of our nation’s youth, and her vision for these causes bodes well for reign and beyond.”

Ramaphosa further extended congratulations to the first and second runner-ups, Luyanda Zuma and Karab Mareka.

“I wish you well, Qhawekazi, and I extend my good wishes to deserving runner-ups Luyanda Zuma and Karabo Mareka,” he added.

The South African government X page also extended a heartfelt congratulatory message to Mazaleni.

“Good morning, Mzansi! What a way to start the day, congratulations to Qhawe Mazaleni, our newly crowned Miss South Africa 2025! All hail the queen with grace, beauty and purpose,” the caption read.

Mazaleni captured the hearts of South Africans during the competition, and many people were rallying behind her.

Before entering the beauty pageant, she was also advocating for children with autism and was also doing her Master's, specialising in autism.

During the media briefing after her crowning, Mazaleni added that she will use her reign to advocate for inclusive education.

“I really champion inclusive education,” the beauty queen said.

She added: “You are not just Miss SA, you are an agent of change in the country and that's the biggest thing of it all.” 

“It's knowing that in this journey, I am not going to do something within this year, I am going to create a legacy of change in this country, and that is something that is so incredibly exciting.”

The 24-year-old is also an author of a children’s book in Isixhosa titled “Amasele Amdaka” (“The Dirty Frogs”), to promote home-language literacy and inclusive education.

In addition, she also received a lot of love on social media as many people were so proud that the Miss SA organisation chose a beauty queen who is a speech therapist after choosing Mia le Roux last year, our first ever deaf Miss SA.

Here’s what people on the internet say about our new Miss SA.

The University of Pretoria wrote on X: “UP’s master’s student Qhawekazi Mazaleni is our new @Official_MissSA! Congrats on taking the crown - your focus on tackling unemployment by boosting literacy is about to inspire an entire generation. Your UP fam is so proud of you!”

The EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) shared: “The EFF congratulates Qhawekazi Mazaleni on being crowned Miss South Africa 2025. May your reign inspire millions, particularly young women and children, to dream without limits, believe in their potential, and relentlessly pursue their aspirations.”

The DA (Democratic Alliance) wrote: “ Phakamani eDutywa! South Africa has a new Queen. Congratulations to Qhawekazi Mazaleni on being crowned Miss SA 2025. Qhawe inspires a new generation to dream and live without limits.”