Miss South Africa 2025 Qhawekazi Mazaleni continues to use her platform to champion literacy and youth empowerment, placing education and mother-tongue learning at the centre of her reign.
As an Empower Youth Africa (EYA) ambassador and a qualified speech therapist, Mazaleni has been travelling to schools across the country, encouraging children to read from an early age, build their confidence and discover the joy that books can bring.
Her recent visit to Monde Primary School in the East Rand formed part of her ongoing literacy outreach programme. During the engagement, she conducted a book-reading session from her isiXhosa children’s book, Amasele Amdaka, creating an interactive and inclusive learning environment for primary school learners.
It is revealed that reading allowed learners to engage with the story in a familiar language, reinforcing the importance of mother-tongue instruction in early childhood development. The session was marked by active participation, with learners responding enthusiastically to questions and themes within the book.
The Monde Primary School community welcomed Mazaleni with vibrant performances, underscoring the significance of the visit for both learners and educators.
In a statement, the Miss SA organisation said:
“Miss South Africa 2025 and Empower Youth Africa (EYA) Ambassador, @qhawemazaleni visited Monde Primary School in the East Rand, where she read from her isiXhosa children’s book Amasele Amdaka as part of her ongoing literacy outreach. Welcomed with vibrant performances, she encouraged learners to dream boldly, value education, and embrace the power of mother-tongue storytelling. Through Empower Youth Africa, she continues to champion access to education and youth empowerment, one school at a time.”
Beyond the reading session, Mazaleni engaged learners in a motivational discussion centred on ambition, discipline and perseverance. She reflected on her journey to becoming Miss South Africa, emphasising that her success was achieved through dedication, resilience and self-belief. Learners were encouraged to remain committed to their education and to pursue their aspirations with confidence.
Her advocacy is closely aligned with her professional background. As a speech therapist, Mazaleni has consistently highlighted the importance of early reading and access to appropriate learning resources.
During a recent visit to Zenzeleni Primary School, where she officially launched her Empower Youth Africa campaign, she described the initiative as deeply meaningful.
“And just like that, I have officially kickstarted my Empower Youth Africa campaign. It was such an honour to host my first book-reading session at Zenzeleni Primary School, a truly fulfilling and full-circle moment for me,” she said.
She added that reading the isiXhosa version of Amasele Amdaka at a predominantly isiXhosa and isiZulu speaking school created a powerful connection between language, identity and learning.
“As a speech therapist, it is deeply important to me to advocate for early reading and learning resources. As an advocate for inclusive education, today truly filled my heart with joy,” she said.
Through her continued school visits and literacy advocacy, Mazaleni is reinforcing the importance of inclusive education and demonstrating how her title can serve as a platform for meaningful social impact.
Saturday Star