Luyanda Zuma stars as Captain Mo in Levels and returns as Miss South Africa 2025 finalist

She’s beauty, brilliance, and purpose in motion. After first capturing the nation’s heart during her 2022 journey, Luyanda Zuma has once again made it into the Miss South Africa Top 10, returning to the iconic stage with even greater confidence and clarity. But this time, it’s not just about the crow, it’s about completing what she calls the “Circle of Empowerment,” a mission to ensure no young person is left behind.

Beyond the world of pageantry, she’s also stepping into her power as an actress, taking on complex and commanding roles that mirror her own strength and evolution. Her latest? Captain Mo in the high-stakes drama Levels, a fearless yet deeply human woman navigating love, leadership, and betrayal in a male-dominated world.

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Miss South Africa 2025 - A New Era of Leadership, Purpose and Unity

In this candid conversation Luyanda opens up about her return to the Miss SA stage, the lessons she’s carried from her first run, and how her acting career is pushing her to explore new dimensions of resilience, identity, and purpose.

Congratulations on making it into the Miss SA top 10 again! How does it feel to be back on stage?

Thank you so much. It feels both humbling and empowering to be back on this stage. In 2022, Miss South Africa was a dream come true for the little girl in me but coming back now, it is about purpose. My first journey taught me resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of using my voice with intention. This year, I return with a deeper understanding of who I am and a mission that is bigger than myself to complete the Circle of Empowerment and ensure no young person is left behind. For me, being back is not just about competing, but about continuing the work I’ve already started, with greater clarity and impact.

You’re not only making waves in pageantry but also in acting. Tell us about your new role as Captain Mo in Levels. Who is she, and what drew you to this character?

Captain Mo is a firm, strong-willed woman with a pure heart for empowerment both for herself and for other women in a male-dominated space. What drew me to her is that, despite her strength, she also shows vulnerability when she falls in love with an individual who ultimately turns her world upside down.

I was inspired by how layered she is – a woman of power and purpose, but also human enough to experience love, conflict, and challenge. Playing her has allowed me to explore themes of resilience, empowerment, and identity, which are values I hold close in my own life.

Levels is filled with intrigue and danger. Without giving too much away, what can viewers expect from Captain Mo’s storyline?

Viewers can expect a rollercoaster from Captain Mo’s storyline moments of deep confusion, raw emotion, and even heartbreak. Her journey is filled with twists and turns that test her strength, her values, and her relationships, leading up to what may be the ultimate betrayal.

You’ve starred in Shaka iLembe and now headline Levels. How do you prepare yourself to take on such different roles, from historical drama to modern thriller?

For me, preparation begins with respect for the story. With a historical drama like Shaka iLembe, it was about immersing myself in the culture, traditions, and history to bring authenticity to the role. With Levels, as a modern thriller, my preparation shifted to understanding the psychology of my character, her fears, strengths, and vulnerabilities so that I could ground her in truth.

The process is different for each project, but what remains the same is my commitment to fully embodying the character and honouring the story I am entrusted to tell.

Luyanda Zuma as Captain Mo in Levels. Image: Supplied

Many fans admire how you juggle your studies, acting, and now Miss SA. What keeps you grounded in the middle of it all?

What keeps me grounded is remembering my “why”. Everything I do whether it’s my studies, acting, or Miss South Africa is rooted in purpose. I also draw strength from my family and the values I was taught growing up in Pietermaritzburg, especially by my grandmother. She reminded me that no matter how big the stage, I must always stay humble, prayerful, and true to myself. That balance between ambition and grounding is what allows me to keep moving forward without losing who I am.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you – both in your acting career and in the pageant world?

Looking ahead, in my acting career I hope to secure international film opportunities and eventually branch into producing my own films, with the aim of creating employment and opportunities for young people.

In pageantry, my main focus is Miss South Africa not just as a competition, but as a platform to be of service to my country. This will be the only pageant I pursue, unless my role as Miss South Africa requires me to represent South Africa internationally, in which case I would proudly champion my country on the global stage.