The Miss SA 2025 Top 10 finalists are official, and Gauteng once again dominates the list. Six contestants come from the province, while the Western Cape has two representatives. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape each have one finalist. Reports also indicate that eight of the ten contestants live in Gauteng, highlighting the province’s central role in South African pageantry.
The finale will take place on 25 October 2025 at the SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria, where one of these ten inspiring women will win the Miss South Africa crown.
Gauteng Leads the Pack
Gauteng leads the Miss SA 2025 Top 10 with six contestants. The province benefits from being the country’s most populous region and home to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Contestants in Gauteng enjoy better access to modelling agencies, pageant training, and media exposure. As a result, Gauteng continues to produce strong contenders and winners year after year.
Provincial Representation
The Top 10 finalists represent four provinces:
- Gauteng: 6 contestants
- Western Cape: 2 contestants
- KwaZulu-Natal: 1 contestant
- Eastern Cape: 1 contestant
This distribution shows Gauteng’s dominance. At the same time, it reflects the national reach of the competition, which celebrates talent from across South Africa.
Transparent Selection Process
The Miss South Africa Organisation explained that an auditing process managed the shortlisting. The judging panel included journalist Devi Sankaree Govender, Miss SA 2022 Ndavi Nokeri, and executive coach Liezel van der Westhuizen. Their involvement ensured fairness and credibility.
Meet the Miss SA 2025 Top 10 Contestants.
According to the Miss SA Organisation’s official announcement, the Top 10 contestants are:
Nelly Mashile, 28, Gauteng. She works as a doctor and surgeon and advocates for equal access to education. Her disadvantaged upbringing inspires her mission to represent children from similar backgrounds.
Lebohang Msimanga, 27, Gauteng. She works as a client manager and model and holds a BCom in economics and marketing from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also mentors young people through her leadership foundation.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni, 24, Eastern Cape (resides in Gauteng). She is pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Pretoria, focusing on autism and cultural inclusion.
Luyanda Zuma, 23, KwaZulu-Natal. She is an actress and model who previously reached the Miss SA Top 10 in 2022. She graduated from AFDA with a degree in live performance.
Nthabiseng Kgasi, 30, Gauteng. She works as a marketing manager, holds degrees in marketing and communications, and runs a small business that supports digital inclusion.
Karabo Mareka, 28, Gauteng (based in the US). She works as a flight attendant with United Airlines and entered Miss SA to inspire young South Africans who face financial barriers in education.
Ghee-Ann Rademan, 23, Western Cape. She is a mental health professional with a degree in industrial psychology from Stellenbosch University and advocates for women’s empowerment.
Bridgette Jones, 28, Western Cape. She works as a flight attendant and studies management online. She views Miss SA as a platform to expand her advocacy work.
Zanele Phakathi, 27, Gauteng.
She works at the Public Investment Corporation and founded Diamonds Model Academy and the Za Power House Foundation, which mentors and empowers the youth.
- Gizelle Venske, 27, Gauteng. She is a chartered accountant with a BCom from the University of Pretoria and promotes financial literacy and mentoring.
Broader Trends in Miss SA
1. Education and Professionalism
The 2025 finalists reflect a shift toward recognising women with advanced qualifications and professional success. Many contestants already hold leadership positions in their fields. This shift proves that Miss SA values intellect and professionalism as much as beauty.
2. Community Advocacy
The finalists actively promote social causes. Their advocacy ranges from financial literacy and digital inclusion to youth leadership and mental health support. These projects confirm Miss SA’s role as a platform for change.
3. Diverse Representation
Although Gauteng dominates, finalists from the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape bring balance. This mix demonstrates the pageant’s national reach and the country’s cultural richness.
Looking Ahead to the Finale
The finale on 25 October 2025 at the SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria, will combine glamour with purpose. Contestants will showcase leadership, advocacy, and confidence alongside traditional elements of competition. The event promises to inspire audiences across South Africa.
The winner will represent the nation at international pageants. She will also continue South Africa’s strong tradition of producing world-class queens.
Why This Year’s Line-Up Matters
The Miss SA 2025 Top 10 highlights Gauteng’s dominance, with six contestants from the province and most finalists reportedly living there. However, the presence of contestants from three other provinces confirms that Miss SA remains a national competition.
As the finale approaches, the finalists will prove that Miss South Africa is about more than beauty. It is about education, advocacy, and pride in South Africa’s future.
Also Read: Miss SA Top 10 Finalists Announced
