Qhawekazi Mazaleni

Qhawekazi Mazaleni is the reigning Miss South Africa 2025, a qualified speech therapist, children’s author, and a passionate advocate for literacy, youth empowerment, and social impact. Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Qhawekazi’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that access to education, particularly in one’s mother tongue, is foundational to lifelong learning, confidence, and opportunity.

At just 24 years old, Qhawekazi brings together professional expertise and purpose-driven leadership. As a speech therapist, she has seen first-hand the critical role that early language development plays in cognitive growth, communication, and educational outcomes. This insight led her to author Amasele Amdaka, an isiXhosa children’s book designed to support early reading, comprehension, and language acquisition among young learners.

Central to Qhawekazi’s advocacy is the principle that children learn best when taught in their home language. She is committed to expanding Amasele Amdaka into all of South Africa’s 11 official languages, an initiative that not only supports inclusive education but also creates meaningful job opportunities for translators, editors, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers. Her vision reflects a broader commitment to both childhood development and sustainable job creation within the creative and education sectors.