Meet the Miss South Africa 2025 Top 10 Finalists

The journey to crown Miss South Africa 2025 has reached a pivotal moment with the announcement of the top 10 finalists. These incredible young women bring diverse talents, stories, and dreams, embodying the spirit of leadership, advocacy, and empowerment. The grand finale is scheduled for 25 October 2025 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.

Miss South Africa is a prestigious national pageant that aims to empower women through leadership, community service, and personal development. Winners and finalists become ambassadors for social change in South Africa.

Introducing the Finalists

1. Bridgette Jones (28) – A flight attendant from Cape Town, studying Management online through the German International University of Applied Sciences. Her goal is to gain global experience academically and professionally so she can create and collaborate with anyone, regardless of where they are in the world.

"No one gets left behind!"

2. Buyisile Mashile (28) – A doctor and surgeon from Daveyton, having earned her first medical degree in Cuba and, in 2022, her surgery degree from Wits University. Nelly unsuccessfully entered Miss South Africa in 2023 but reapplied because, “as someone from a very disadvantaged background, getting an education on a housekeeper’s salary, I carry the responsibility to represent kids from similar backgrounds.”

"Dream big; Reality will be bigger."

3. Ghee-Ann Rademan (23) – A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Psychology from Stellenbosch University and registered as a Mental Health Professional before launching her own online counselling platform for young girls and adult women.

"Here to love and to serve."

4. Gizelle Venske (27) – A qualified Chartered Accountant. She holds a BCom Accounting Sciences degree from the University of Pretoria and finished her 3-year audit articles at Deloitte this year. She was then seconded to do a three month stint as an auditor at Deloitte, Sydney, Australia. She has since started a new role as a Business Development Manager at a Global Indirect Tax firm. Her advocacy comes through her role as an auditor – she is in a unique position to uphold ethical financial practices within the private and public sectors. On a personal level, she mentors peers on essential skills like budgeting, building a credit score, understanding interest, and using e-filing for tax returns.

"A woman who follows the crowd is likely to go no further than the crowd, but a woman who follows her own footsteps is likely to find herself in places no one else has ever been."

5. Karabo Mareka (27) – A flight attendant with United Airlines and currently lives in Virginia in the United States. By representing her township Alexandra on a global scale, she says she shows young people every day that no matter where you come from, you can access opportunities by thinking creatively, encouraging them to seek global opportunities and create a life of their own.

"You will never know unless you try. What do you have to lose?"

6. Luyanda Nonhlelo Zuma (23) – A Top 10 finalist in Miss South Africa 2022. The actress and model has a Bachelor in Live Performance from AFDA; understands that wearing the crown means being of service. To this end she has committed to uplifting communities and creating lasting impact. Through her newly established media house LeNZ Media she wants to contribute to African storytelling and open doors for new graduates. Through her child and youth development-focused Nonhlelo Foundation, she spends time in orphanages.

"You are never too young to lead."

7. Lebogang Msimanga (27) – A BCom in Economics and Marketing holder from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and works as a client manager and professional model. Through her legacy project, The Lebo Leads Foundation, she helps young people cultivate leadership skills. She also volunteers with Rivers Foundation, preparing sandwiches to feed hungry children at underprivileged schools.

"Stick to the plan not your mood."

8. Nthabiseng Kgasi (30) – A Marketing Manager from Soweto, who wants to help bridge the digital divide for people in underserved communities. One of her conditions for joining the telecommunications company she is employed at was that she works on empowering projects – such as the platform to give young entrepreneurs a space to grow their businesses using the company’s resource libraries.

She holds Bachelors and Honours degrees in Marketing and Communications in Media from Monash University. In addition to her corporate role, Nthabiseng runs a small social media management company helping businesses build and grow their digital presence.

"Let your “why” guide you every step of the way."

9. Qhawekazi Mazaleni (24) – Holds a Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy degree from Stellenbosch University and is doing Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology through the University of Pretoria with a focus on Autism. Making a difference in her community is important and her biggest contribution has been through her therapeutic work in “bridging cultural and linguistic gaps in speech therapy and being informed of our political, economic and social worlds.”

"It’s only embarrassing if you’re embarrassed. Don’t be afraid to be seen trying."

10. Zanele Phakathi (26) – An Advanced Diploma degree in Business Information Technology holder from the University of Johannesburg, and works with the Enterprise Architecture team at the Public Investment Corporation. She is also the founder of Diamonds Model Academy – where she mentors and trains young models – and Za Power House Foundation, where she runs community programs focused on education and youth empowerment. She wants to expand her Empower Ed campaign nationally, ensuring that every child, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, has access to career guidance and digital skills.

" God’s timing is perfect."

The finalists are now engaged in intensifying rounds of competition and community engagement, demonstrating not only beauty but brains, talent, and dedication to causes close to their hearts. On 25 October 2025, one will be crowned Miss South Africa 2025, poised to make a meaningful impact nationally and internationally.

The judging panel includes noted South Africans such as journalist Devi Sankaree Govender, Miss South Africa 2022 Ndavi Nokeri, and neuroscience coach Liezel van der Westhuizen. They evaluated the finalists' drive for social change, resilience, authenticity, and humor.

This year's competition redefines the Miss South Africa crown as a platform for meaningful impact, leadership, and purpose-driven service to the community. The winner will carry a strong mandate to effect positive social transformation.