Fashion, music, and all the glitzy moments inside the Miss SA 2025 finale

Red carpet fashion, incredible live performances, and an emotional crowning moment were all part of the Miss South Africa 2025 finale.

At the SunBet Arena in Times Square, Pretoria, Qhawekazi Mazaleni was crowned the 67th champion on Saturday night in a lavish ceremony.The first princess was Luyanda Zuma, 23, of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and the second was Karabo Mareka, 27, of Alexandra, Gauteng.

Here are some top moments for the big night, which was hosted by television presenter and actress Nomalanga Shozi and South African media personality Pamela Mtanga.

Mazaleni’s golden crowning moment

The speech therapist from East London in the Eastern Cape was elated when she was announced as the nation’s new beauty queen. Her face lit up when the crown was placed on her head and the sash draped over her shoulders.

As the moment sunk in, the 24-year-old speech couldn't contain her emotions as she cried tears of joy as golden confetti rained down on the stage and the celebratory pyrotechnics went off.

Miss South Africa 2024 Mia le Roux takes her final bow

The former beauty queen brought graceful elegance to the Miss SA 2025 finale stage as she took her final bow as the nation’s beauty queen. Dressed in a stunning yellow gown, she thanked the nation for their support during her reign. Le Roux then embraced the new titleholder. The crowd erupted in cheers when she did her final walk on the stage.

Electrifying live entertainment

The night might have been all about the Miss SA 2025 finalists but the audience were kept entertained by some of Mzansi’s hottest musical acts.

Local music sensation Ciza got proceedings going when he opened the event, performing his hit song "Isaka (6am)” to serious applause.

Lordkez and Langa Mavuso also took to the stage while Demi Lee More, Bucie, Karen Zoid and Xolly Mncwango took to the stage together to perform together with a local school choir. Award-winning singer Makhadzi was the last performer of the night and she closed off proceedings with a bang.

Red-hot fashion

The stars brought their fashion A-game to the Miss SA 2025 AFI red carpet, which was hosted by Miss SA 2023 Natasha Vermaak and Dr Fezile Mkhize, who was Mister Supranational in 2024.

The former beauty queen stunned in a royal blue gown with elegant beadwork while Mkhize looked dapper in an all black fit.

Meanwhile, the evening was a full circle moment for former titleholder Dr. Tamryn Green Nxumalo who is part of this year's judging panel. She arrived on the red carpet rocking the same white dress she wore on the night she was crowned Miss SA in 2018.

Fellow judge and titleholder Ndavi Nokeri also made a statement in a multi-coloured by red-based garment which received praise on the red carpet.