Multi-media personality Somizi Mhlongo recently took to social media to criticise the 2025 Miss SA pageant that took place on October 25 at the SunBet Arena in Time Square, Pretoria.
Qhawekazi Mazaleni walked away with the 67th crown. Alongside her, Luyanda Zuma claimed the title of first princess, and Karabo Mareka was crowned second princess.
Hosted by television presenter and actress Nomalanga Shozi and South African media personality Pamela Mtanga, the event featured electrifying performances from award-winning singer Makhadzi as well as music sensations Ciza, Lordkez and Langa Mavuso.
In a scathing yet entertaining commentary on social media, the former “Idols SA” judge expressed his disappointment with the event, saying it lacked the “fairytale” glamour that beauty pageants should evoke.
“Beauty pageants are suppose to give you that magical, whimsical feel about them. It’s an unrealistic world about realistic things in life after, but the actual production is suppose to be ‘Alice in Wonderland’ type of thing …
“The grand opening is suppose to be grand, aesthetically, visually. The past few years has lost that,” said the former “Idols SA” judge.
He continued to say that the events team should start conceptualising now to give the designers time to make stellar garments.
“They used 5 South African established designers. I liked them, but I felt they were restricted to a certain extent. Those gowns, for me, were not really giving that finale thing. I still want to see that ‘Cinderella’ type of thing, the ball type of thing.”
Critiquing the contestants, Mhlongo said: “There was a part where they did their presentations on their mission statements, I was like, ‘Yoh, these girls are intelligent’.
“When it came to the questions that were asked on the spot, I did not get that ‘think on your toes’ type of response, to a point where I felt they were looking for that Zozibini moment, where she nailed an iconic quote, that will live forever, in terms of taking up space and cementing yourself in society.
“I feel like these girls are looking for that moment, and it’s not coming.”
The event also saw musicians Demi Lee More, Bucie, Karen Zoid and Xolly Mncwango serenading the audience, but Mhlongo couldn’t help but express his dissatisfaction.
“What a waste of amazing vocalists. That song was not it, and it was not going anywhere. They should have said something about it. It’s not on brand. And then that choir of children, there were 100 kids, but yoh, I could not hear them.”
@somg63 ♬ original sound – somizi
In the second part of this video, Mhlongo spoke about Shozi’s dresses and hosting skills.
“The first dress was immaculate, it was grand, it was a pageant dress, it was beautiful. I felt like we did not see it enough. I would have loved her to walk. That stage allowed her dress to breathe and speak before she spoke. I felt like we were robbed of that moment. Then the dresses kept going (down).”
He also said Shozi was “technically done dirty”: “You can not put a teleprompter on the side of the presenter. It’s supposed to be in front. At home, we wanted to connect with you, and we missed that.”
Mhlongo even found time to compare Shozi to past presenters like Bonang Matheba and Nomzamo Mbatha, making it clear that this comparison comes with pressures and expectations.
“We compared Nomzamo to Bonang … And we are going to compare you… It is life. Because of those technical glitches and her nerves got the better of her, we could tell. It’s a big stage, guys. It’s her first time, let’s give her grace. I believe she deserves to be given another chance. I believe next year she’s going to be better.”
Finally, he said that what makes Matheba a great host is that she goes above and beyond what is expected of her.
“That girl would rather have a minus zero bank balance, than not to be 800 000 percent great when she goes on stage, that’s how much she invests. Bonang would be paid R150k for a gig, she would spend another R150k on that gig and not get paid, and that’s why she stands out.
“Bonang treats her gigs, especially the ones she knows that has a huge audience, she invests because the rewards after that are enormous…”
Watch the full video below.
@somg63 ♬ original sound – somizi
