Miss SA Runner-Up Luyanda Zuma Under Fire For Snubbing Qhawekazi Mazaleni “Still Thinks The Crown Was Hers!”

Social media is in flames after Miss SA 2025’s first runner-up, Luyanda Zuma, allegedly failed to publicly congratulate the newly crowned Qhawekazi Mazaleni. What was meant to be a celebration of beauty, grace, and unity among South African women has now turned into a full-blown social media war filled with shade, side-eyes, and plenty of speculation.

A Night of Glamour Turns Into a Social Media Storm

The Miss South Africa 2025 finale had everyone talking when Qhawekazi Mazaleni, from the Eastern Cape, walked away with the coveted crown. Her poise, intelligence, and confidence throughout the competition won the hearts of many, making her victory well-deserved in the eyes of fans and judges alike.

But not everyone was ready to celebrate. Soon after the crowning, users noticed that Luyanda Zuma, the 1st runner-up, had not publicly congratulated Qhawekazi. Instead, she took to her Instagram stories, posting messages about “sisterhood” and “empowering women”—but with no mention of the new Miss SA.

This immediately rubbed fans the wrong way, especially because Luyanda had been seen as one of the favorites to win. When a clip of actress Keke Mphuthi claiming Luyanda was “robbed” of the crown began circulating, Luyanda’s decision to repost it only poured more fuel on the fire.

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Fans interpreted the repost as a subtle dig at Qhawekazi, with many saying Luyanda was agreeing with the sentiment that she deserved the crown instead.

Fans Call Out Luyanda Zuma for “Weird Energy”

The comment sections across TikTok and X (Twitter) have been filled with opinions, hot takes, and memes since the incident. Some accused Luyanda of having an inflated ego, while others felt she was simply being petty.

One user wrote: “I just wanna know who told her that she’ll be Miss SA 🤔.”

Another added: “My thing is she won’t congratulate Qhawe? That’s weird behavior for someone preaching sisterhood.”

Another fan took it even further, saying: “She reposted that Keke Mphuthi video where Keke was making allegations that she was robbed—meaning she also agreed she was robbed. That time Qhawe beat her fair and square.”

The situation got so intense that Luyanda reportedly disabled her comment section, a move that many fans took as confirmation that the criticism was getting to her.

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Others, however, came to her defense, saying she might still be processing the disappointment of not winning. One comment read: “She’s human. Maybe she needs time before she can post something public. It’s not easy losing in front of the whole country.”

But that didn’t stop the trolling. One popular comment summed up the sentiment many shared: “Someone promised her that crown. I just can’t prove it 😭.”

The Price of the Miss SA Spotlight

Both Qhawekazi and Luyanda entered the Miss South Africa competition with strong fan bases. While Qhawekazi was celebrated for her authenticity, humility, and advocacy for youth empowerment, Luyanda was praised for her confidence and poise.

However, as history has shown, being a runner-up in Miss SA often comes with its own set of challenges—especially in the age of social media where every post is dissected. Fans expect grace, sportsmanship, and unity, and when that doesn’t happen, the backlash is swift.

As for Qhawekazi Mazaleni, the new Miss SA seems to be handling the noise with grace. She’s continued posting about her new journey, her upcoming duties, and messages of gratitude to those who supported her.

Meanwhile, the public remains divided on Luyanda’s intentions—was it a misunderstanding, or a quiet admission that she feels robbed?

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