Miss South Africa’s top two spotlight the role of young talent, fashion and music in shaping South Africa’s evolving creative landscape
On 25 April 2026, the Miss South Africa Organisation will take a leading role at the Metro FM Music Awards, reinforcing its commitment to developing young leaders and supporting industries that continue to shape South Africa’s cultural and economic future.
Miss South Africa 2025 and Empower Youth Africa (EYA) Ambassador, Qhawekazi Mazaleni, will present the prestigious Song of the Year award on the night. As the first Miss South Africa from the 2K generation, Mazaleni represents a new wave of leadership that is deeply connected to youth culture, innovation, and meaningful impact. She will use her platform to celebrate excellence across the industry, with a particular focus on recognising young artists who are shaping the future of South African music.
Joining her is Miss South Africa 2025 First Runner-Up, actress, and EYA Ambassador, Luyanda Zuma, who will co-present the AFI Metro FM Music Awards Black Carpet alongside DJ and Metro FM presenter, Lamiez Holworthy. No stranger to television, Zuma brings both experience and a natural on-screen presence to the role. Her deep appreciation for African fashion allows her to engage the moment beyond aesthetics, positioning style as a powerful form of cultural expression and storytelling within the broader creative industry.
Both ambassadors will be dressed by African Fashion International (AFI), Miss South Africa’s African luxury fashion partner and the official MMA Black Carpet sponsor. Through AFI Atelier, they will showcase the best of African luxury design and craftsmanship. In addition, House of NALA, the retail platform by AFI, will launch a luxury pop-up store at Platinum Walk in Oceans Mall, Durban, coinciding with the Metro FM Music Awards 2026, one of South Africa’s most celebrated cultural weekends. Their presence at the awards reflects the synergy between fashion, music, and cultural storytelling, industries that continue to drive economic growth and global recognition for African talent.
Empower Youth Africa Ambassador and Miss South Africa 2025, Qhawekazi Mazaleni, is a qualified speech therapist, master’s student, and children’s author who champions literacy, access to education, youth empowerment, and social impact. Through her work, including her isiXhosa children’s book titled Amasele Amdaka, she advocates for mother-tongue learning and inclusive education, while leading impactful, literacy-driven initiatives across the country.
“I am looking forward to celebrating the incredible talent that exists within South Africa’s creative industries, while supporting and amplifying young voices, particularly those who are using their craft to lead, inspire, uplift, and drive meaningful change. It is through platforms like the MMAs that we continue to build a creative economy that is both impactful and sustainable,” says Qhawekazi Mazaleni.
EYA Ambassador and Miss South Africa 2025 First Runner-Up, Luyanda Zuma, is an award-winning actress, model, and media personality. Through her Breaking Lights Youth initiative, she is committed to uplifting young, emerging artists, particularly those in informal arts spaces, by connecting them with mentorship opportunities and pathways into a professional and sustainable creative industry.
Together, their involvement signals Miss South Africa’s continued evolution as a platform for leadership and social transformation, with a strong focus on empowering the next generation of talent and contributors within South Africa’s creative industries.
The Miss South Africa Organisation continues to champion a new calibre of female leaders who are not only visible, but who actively shape conversations, industries, and the future of the country.
For media and interview enquiries, please direct all requests to Nhlanhla@misssa.co.za or call 0787726485
ABOUT EMPOWER YOUTH AFRICA (EYA)
Empower Youth Africa (EYA) is Miss South Africa’s official social impact programme and the engine through which Miss South Africa translates influence into action. EYA focuses on empowering youth and women through youth unemployment, entrepreneurship and skills development, health and wellness (including mental well-being), access to education, civic engagement and leadership, Pan-African collaboration, and inclusive development.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Website: www.misssa.co.za
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ABOUT MISS SOUTH AFRICA
In the New Era, Miss South Africa is positioned as a platform for leadership, empowerment, and social change, developing women who create tangible impact through its official social impact programme, Empower Youth Africa (EYA).
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