Qhawekazi Mazaleni inspires learners through mother-tongue storytelling and messages of possibility
East Rand, Gauteng – Miss South Africa 2025 and Empower Youth Africa (EYA) Ambassador, Qhawekazi Mazaleni, today visited Monde Primary School in the East Rand, where she conducted a book-reading session as part of her ongoing literacy-led Empower Youth Africa engagements.
Qhawekazi read from her isiXhosa children’s book, Amasele Amdaka, engaging primary school learners in a warm and interactive reading experience designed to encourage early literacy, comprehension, and a love for reading in a familiar language. The visit formed part of her broader commitment to promoting mother-tongue learning as a critical foundation for childhood development.
The day was marked by a vibrant and heartfelt welcome from the Monde Primary School community. Learners greeted Qhawekazi with an energetic drum majorettes performance, followed by a moving choral rendition by the school choir, creating a celebratory atmosphere that reflected the pride and joy of the occasion.
The school’s principal expressed deep appreciation for the visit, sharing that he himself is a former learner of Monde Primary School. He noted that witnessing Qhawekazi return to uplift the next generation was especially meaningful, adding that he has always believed in the importance of “paying it forward” and investing back into the same communities that shape future leaders.
Beyond the book reading, Qhawekazi took time to engage learners in a motivational discussion about dreams, discipline, and possibility. She shared her personal journey toward becoming Miss South Africa, emphasising that her achievement was the result of hard work, perseverance, and self-belief. Learners were encouraged to see their own dreams as attainable and to remain committed to their education and aspirations.
The children responded with visible excitement and enthusiasm, with many expressing delight at meeting Miss South Africa and participating in a reading session that celebrated language, storytelling, and ambition.
Qhawekazi’s literacy outreach forms a core part of her Empower Youth Africa mandate, which focuses on access to education, youth empowerment, and sustainable social impact. Through school visits, book readings, and advocacy for language-appropriate learning resources, she continues to champion education as a powerful driver of opportunity and transformation.
About Empower Youth Africa (EYA)
Empower Youth Africa is the Miss South Africa Organisation’s flagship collective action programme, uniting all Miss South Africa 2025 finalists under a shared vision to deliver scalable and sustainable social-impact initiatives across five pillars: youth unemployment, entrepreneurship and skills development, access to education, health and wellness, and civic engagement and Pan-African collaboration.
