Qhawekazi Mazaleni Biography
Qhawekazi Mazaleni is a young woman who has won the hearts of many South Africans. On October 25, 2025, she was crowned Miss South Africa 2025 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. This moment marked a turning point in her life. At 24 years old, she hails from the Eastern Cape and works as a speech therapist. Her victory highlights how beauty contests can showcase people dedicated to societal change.
As Miss South Africa, Qhawekazi stands for more than beauty. She champions education for all, especially helping children learn in their native languages. This is vital in South Africa, with its 11 official languages. Many children struggle in school because lessons are not in their home language. Qhawekazi aims to change this. She also supports children with autism, a condition affecting communication and interaction.
Her story inspires youth empowerment, giving young people tools to succeed through confidence and opportunities. Qhawekazi’s background in therapy and her family’s pageant legacy make her unique. She graduated from Stellenbosch University and now studies at the University of Pretoria, both known for strong health and education programs.
She is a role model combining her career with community service. Her win as the 67th Miss South Africa reflects cultural pride and a push for better education. South Africa’s education system faces challenges, with over 30 percent illiteracy in rural areas, per Stats SA data from recent years. Qhawekazi addresses these through her work.
Her journey teaches resilience, the ability to recover from setbacks. It also emphasizes inclusive education, ensuring all children have equal learning opportunities. Multilingualism in classrooms helps kids understand better when taught in familiar languages. This biography covers her life from early days to future goals, explaining key ideas simply to educate readers.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni Early Life
Qhawekazi Mazaleni was born on March 15, 2001, in Gonubie, a small town near East London in the Eastern Cape. As the youngest of three sisters, she grew up in a family valuing education and culture. Her mother, a clerk in the Department of Education, sparked her interest in learning. Her father, a manager at Eskom, taught her discipline.
The family spoke isiXhosa at home but also used Sotho from her mother’s side. This bilingual environment made Qhawekazi value multiple languages early on. In South Africa, languages tie people to their heritage. Growing up with this mix fueled her curiosity about how words shape thinking.
At Beaconhurst High School in East London, Qhawekazi entered her first beauty pageant, winning First Princess. This boosted her confidence and showed her pageants are about more than looks—they build skills like public speaking and community service. Her family, especially her sister Homba Mazaleni, a Miss SA 2023 Top 5 finalist, supported her.
Living in the Eastern Cape exposed Qhawekazi to rural challenges. Poverty and limited school access are common, with unemployment over 40 percent in some areas, per Stats SA. She saw education as a way to break this cycle. Her early years built empathy, helping her understand others’ struggles.
Family bonds shaped her. Her sisters’ stories and protection built her character, fueling her drive for youth empowerment. Starting young, she believes, creates a strong future. Her story shows how family and community shape leaders.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni Education
Qhawekazi completed her matric at Beaconhurst High School. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Therapy from Stellenbosch University, graduating in 2023, which she called her happiest milestone. This degree trains people to address communication issues.
She now pursues a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pretoria, focusing on autism spectrum disorders and multilingual teaching for young children. Autism affects about 1 in 100 children globally, per WHO reports, but many in South Africa lack support due to scarce resources.
Fluent in isiXhosa, English, and Afrikaans, she is learning Sepedi and isiZulu to serve diverse communities. Mother-tongue education improves understanding by up to 25 percent, studies show.
Her qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s in Speech Therapy from Stellenbosch University.
- Master’s focus on autism and multilingualism at University of Pretoria.
- Fluency in three languages, learning two more.
- Graduated in 2023 for her bachelor’s.
Her path is unique compared to past Miss South Africa winners, who often studied business or law rather than health fields like therapy.
Her education equips her for impact. It teaches readers about speech therapy, which helps people express themselves. In South Africa, therapists tackle issues from strokes to learning delays. Qhawekazi’s studies show her commitment to closing education gaps.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni Career
Qhawekazi works as a speech therapist at Speechworx in Pretoria, now in Randburg. She helps children from underserved areas overcome language barriers. Cultural differences affect therapy, so she tailors methods to fit various backgrounds.
She published an isiXhosa children’s book teaching reading and counting to fight illiteracy. The PIRLS 2021 study notes 78 percent of Grade 4 students in South Africa cannot read for meaning. Her book has reached hundreds in Eastern Cape schools.
She plans workshops for township teachers and parents, teaching simple literacy tools. These align with the National Development Plan for better education by 2030.
Her work focuses on autism support and early childhood programs. Speech therapy reduces school dropouts by improving communication.
Her career involves advocating for policy changes, like more books in home languages. Her LinkedIn shares more about her efforts.
The Miss South Africa 2025 Triumph
On October 25, 2025, Qhawekazi won Miss South Africa 2025 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, beating finalists Luyanda Zuma (first princess) and Karabo Mareka (second princess). Her prize, worth over R3 million, includes a car, apartment, and trips.
Her Q&A answer, “Start with what you have” for empowering youth, impressed judges like Dr. Tamaryn Green Nxumalo (Miss SA 2018). Mia le Roux, Miss SA 2024, crowned her. The event drew huge cheers, and her Instagram followers surged past 60,000 post-win.
Inspired by her sister Homba’s 2023 run, Qhawekazi entered to represent rural Black women. Pageants like this promote change, highlighting issues like literacy.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni Personal Life and Interests
Qhawekazi enjoys crocheting clothes and cooking chili beef stew with dumplings. Her favorite treat is chocolate mug cake.
She loves Mpumalanga’s landscapes and “Isitifiketi” by Jabulile Majola. She watches “The Office” and “Grey’s Anatomy” and has read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho four times.
She fears regretting not trying. Her motto: “It’s only embarrassing if you’re embarrassed.” Her role models include her oldest sister, Gale Mabalane, and Keke Palmer. She dreams of lunch with Lauryn Hill.
Her hobbies, like crocheting, spark creativity. Music and books teach life lessons, making her relatable.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni Achievements
Qhawekazi’s achievements include running her first half-marathon in 2024, publishing her book, and advocating for multilingual school resources.
The government praised her as a youth hero. She plans workshops to combat poverty’s impact on hope, with youth unemployment at 50 percent per Stats SA.
Her book has helped over 500 children. She supports literacy groups like Nal’ibali.
Achievements include:
- Half-marathon in 2024.
- IsiXhosa children’s book.
- Education policy advocacy.
- Miss South Africa 2025 crown.
These show her dedication to autism awareness and health through running.
Conclusion
Qhawekazi’s journey from Gonubie to Miss South Africa proves hard work pays off. She embodies Black excellence in therapy and pageants. Follow her on Instagram @qhawemazaleni or X @QMazaleni36754. Support literacy through petitions.
Her message: “It gives young women permission to dream.” She inspires the next generation. Reflect: How can you start with what you have today?
FAQs
Who is Qhawekazi Mazaleni?
Miss South Africa 2025, a 24-year-old speech therapist from Eastern Cape.
Where was Qhawekazi Mazaleni born?
In Gonubie, near East London, Eastern Cape.
What is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s family background?
Youngest of three sisters, mother in education, father at Eskom, sister Homba a Miss SA 2023 finalist.
What is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s education?
Bachelor’s in Speech Therapy from Stellenbosch University (2023), Master’s at University of Pretoria.
What are Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s qualifications?
Therapy degree, multilingual skills, autism focus.
What does Qhawekazi Mazaleni do for a living?
Speech therapist at Speechworx, author.
What is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s career?
Focuses on communication help and literacy advocacy.
Who is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s sister?
Homba Mazaleni, Miss SA 2023 finalist.
How did Qhawekazi Mazaleni enter Miss SA?
Inspired by Homba to promote representation.
Who won Miss South Africa 2025?
Qhawekazi Mazaleni.
What was Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s Q&A answer?
“Start with what you have” for empowerment.
What are Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s achievements?
Book, marathon, crown.
What is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s prize?
Over R3 million in perks.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni age and personal life?
24, enjoys crocheting, cooking, music.
Who inspires Qhawekazi Mazaleni?
Sister, Gale Mabalane, Keke Palmer.
What are Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s goals?
Literacy programs, policy changes, Miss Universe.
What is Qhawekazi Mazaleni’s message to young women?
Dare to dream, know yourself.