KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has congratulated Luyanda Zuma of Pietermaritzburg for her remarkable achievement in being crowned first princess at the prestigious Miss South Africa 2025 pageant, held in Pretoria over the weekend.
Zuma was the sole representative from KwaZulu-Natal following the voluntary withdrawal of Lebohang Msimango from eMpangeni. Throughout the competition, she carried the hopes and pride of the province with grace, dignity, and determination, earning widespread admiration for her authenticity and poise.
Described as a “humbling second journey to the crown,” Zuma’s participation this year symbolised perseverance and personal growth. Having competed previously in 2022, her return to the Miss South Africa stage highlighted her commitment to empowerment, social service, and women’s advancement, values that strongly resonate with her community work in KwaZulu-Natal.
Premier Ntuli praised the Shaka Ilembe star’s success, describing it as “a tremendous source of pride for the province.”
“Her achievement reflects the strength, potential, and promise of our young women, especially those emerging from our province’s cities and towns. She has shown courage, resilience, and vision, and in doing so, she has become an inspiration to countless young South Africans who now see what is possible when talent is matched with purpose and hard work,” Ntuli said.
The Premier added that Zuma’s accomplishment reinforces KwaZulu-Natal’s growing reputation as a cradle of excellence and opportunity, producing individuals who excel in diverse spheres from the arts and education to entrepreneurship and public service.
“From Pietermaritzburg to every corner of KwaZulu-Natal, our people continue to shine on national and global stages. We stand firmly behind Luyanda as she embarks on the next chapter of her journey. We trust she will use this platform not only to represent our province and country with elegance and integrity, but also to advance causes of empowerment, job creation, and community upliftment,” he added.
The Miss South Africa pageant is one of the country’s most prominent platforms for young women, combining beauty with purpose-driven advocacy. Over the years, it has produced global icons such as Zozibini Tunzi and Rolene Strauss who went on to win Miss Universe titles.
This year 24-year-old speech therapist from the Eastern Cape Qhawekazi Mazaleni was crowned Miss South Africa and says she wants to use her reign to champion inclusive education.
