Zandile Tshabalala shares why she thinks Miss South Africa 2025, Qhawekazi Mazaleni, blends beauty, education, and storytelling and was the perfect choice for Miss SA 2025.
I followed Qhawekazi Mazaleni on TikTok and Instagram when she moved to Pretoria for her practicals. It was her catchy intro that got me. She would speak Setswana in a very Xhosa accent, and it always made me smile. There was something real about her, the way she embraced being out of her comfort zone, learning a new language, adjusting to a new space. I loved how, without even knowing it, she made me want to do the same, to step out, take chances, and chase my own dreams.
When she was crowned Miss South Africa 2025, it felt like watching someone step into their purpose. There was something about her energy that felt honest, soft, and powerful all at once.
The Speech Therapist Who Found a Bigger Voice
Before the glitter and spotlight, Qhawekazi was already shaping lives as a speech therapist. She studied at Stellenbosch University and is now completing her Master’s at the University of Pretoria, focusing on children with autism. That alone says a lot about who she is.
Every day, she helps children find their voices, guiding them to speak, express, and connect. And maybe that’s what makes her reign feel different. Her work already lives in service, in language, in the simple beauty of helping others be heard.
The Writer Who Spoke to Our Inner Child
What really touched me is that she didn’t stop there. She took her love for words and turned it into something tangible, writing a children’s book in isiXhosa called Amasele Amdaka, which means The Dirty Frogs.
The book helps young readers learn and count in their home language, and for me, that’s creativity at its purest. It’s using art to educate, to connect, and to celebrate culture. In a country where many children learn in languages that aren’t their own, her book becomes a gift of identity.
Finding Her Voice in Pretoria
Qhawekazi’s story became even more personal to me when I found out that she’s based in Pretoria, where most people speak Tshwana or Sotho. It’s not always easy to step into a space where your language and culture aren’t the dominant ones, but she did it with grace.
That reminded me of the quiet courage it takes to show up fully, to be open to learning, and to meet people where they are. It’s one of the many things that made her stand out for me.
The Mazaleni Sisters and a Shared Dream
Then there’s the part of her story that feels like a movie. Qhawekazi isn’t the first in her family to walk this journey. Her older sister, Hombakazi Mazaleni, was a Top 5 finalist in Miss South Africa 2023.
When Qhawekazi won, Hombakazi shared a beautiful message that said, “Endlessly proud of you, Qhawekazi ligama elikhulu.” That name, which means “hero” or “conqueror,” suddenly felt prophetic.
Hombakazi also said that Qhawekazi had achieved the family goal of one of them becoming Miss SA. But it’s more than that. Together, they’ve built something powerful, a legacy of ambition and sisterhood that feels deeply inspiring.
Why She Moved Us All
Qhawekazi didn’t win because she fit the mold. She won because she broke it. She is smart, grounded, and kind. She speaks multiple languages, writes children’s books, and spends her days helping kids find their voices. She gives new meaning to the title ‘Miss South Africa’.
What touched me most is how she embodies what it means to be South African today. She celebrates where she comes from, embraces where she is, and opens the door for others to follow.
A Queen for This Generation
For creatives, educators, dreamers, and storytellers, Qhawekazi represents the kind of leadership we need more of. She reminds us that purpose and creativity can live in the same breath, that kindness is strength, and that being seen can also mean helping others be seen too.
As she said herself, “My heart’s intent is to ensure inclusive education.” That line lingers with me. Because when someone leads with heart, the whole country feels it.
And that’s why she didn’t just win Miss South Africa 2025, she won our hearts too.
- Zandile Tshabalala is a writer, columnist and photographer for Between 10and5. Her work focuses on culture, lifestyle and human-interest stories.
