Qhawekazi Mazaleni on the women who made and shaped her success

A graduate in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy from Stellenbosch University, Qhawekazi is passionate about bridging gaps in education. An advocate for literacy, and author of the isiXhosa children’s book Amasele Amdaka, addressing South Africa’s foundation-phase literacy crisis is part of her mission to help reduce unemployment. Empowering her are six women, who have shown her how passion, creativity and dedication can drive meaningful change.

Nomithi Mazaleni (My MoM)

celebrity-news

Bonang Matheba takes pageantry hosting global at Miss Cosmo in Vietnam

One thing I always say about my mom is that she is kind yet stern. She really taught me how to be kind to myself while still being able to hold myself accountable; this is a skill I still use with both myself and the people in my life. My mom has always encouraged me to fail forward, viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth. Whenever I came home speaking about what I wanted to try at school, she would find the means to support me and my passions. It was her unwavering support that helped me develop resilience as a young girl.

Thembakazi Mazaleni (My big sister/Deputy parent)

“Thembs” is without a doubt responsible for my sense of humour. Whenever I was in trouble at home, she would somehow make me laugh and remember that I don’t have to be perfect. She is 12 years older than me and was easily one of the first role models I ever had. She really showed me that I don’t have to conform to the norms of the world, but instead find genuine happiness in staying true to myself.

Noxolo Ngwendu (Makazi Wam)

When they talk about friends who became family, they really are talking about uMakazi and my mom. Makazi is technically our neighbour, but the friendship she forged with my mom over the past decade and a bit resulted in me having a second mom. She really is a perfect example of how it takes a village to raise a child: she would make sure I get home safe from school, gently correct me when I was in the wrong and celebrate my wins so incredibly loud. Makazi has a loud laugh that I could hear all the way from my closed bedroom; she really is an embodiment of unwavering joy.

Neha Singh (My partner in Crime)

Neha was the first friend I made in university. I had moved to Stellenbosch not knowing a single person in the town and she immediately took me under her wing. We were just two girls figuring out how to become adults and somehow reach the seemingly impossible goals we had set for ourselves. Since 2020, she and a few of my friends (Ofentse and Sam) always said I would make a great Miss South Africa, so, it’s beautiful to see their words come to life.

Zanda Magodla (Mysound board)

I met Zanda in first year as well, but we only really became close in our third year of studies. Zanda has such a calming presence to her; she has a beautiful way of focusing on the present even in chaos. She taught me how friendship requires vulnerability and she’s been there for me through a lot of family losses and personal wins. Little did I know we had the same taste in music when we met. We both ended up seeing one of my favourite artists, Mandisi Dyantyis, perform live at the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. This is a memory that I replay every time I listen to his music.

Homba Mazaleni (My sister/Day one)

I was always so in awe of the kind of social butterfly my sister was growing up (and honestly still is). She had this incredible way of making everybody feel included and celebrated in whatever they were doing. (She still hasn’t lost that spark at all.) It’s so beautiful to watch her clap for everyone yet still shine so brightly. Her entering Miss SA in 2023 really inspired me to believe that our dreams are not too farfetched, we just have to have the courage to chase them.