Miss SA runner-up dismisses ‘petty’ reaction rumours amid fan backlash

Miss SA 2025 first runner-up, Luyanda Zuma, has dismissed rumours that she was upset about not winning the crown.

Zuma who was crowned first princess at this past weekend’s Miss South Africa pageant, where Qhawekazi Mazaleni took the title, says the online backlash caught her by surprise.

Speaking exclusively to Y, Zuma denied claims that she felt robbed and addressed critics who labelled her petty, saying she fully supports Mazaleni and believes the winner deserves every part of her Miss SA reign.

Zuma, who previously made it to the Miss SA Top 10 in 2022, says she’s elated to have been crowned first runner-up this year — describing the achievement as “a rewarding, pinch-me moment.”

“When I was on-stage during the crowning moment I was thinking to myself that whoever gets this crown is so deserving of it. when you are in that moment you can just be at peace, and just let go and let God take over. Even when Qhawe and I were standing there, we even forgot that we had to turn on que because we were just so in our moment. I was thinking that the fact that I have even gotten this far is enough. Whatever happens now is all up to God,” says Zuma.

Speaking to Y, Zuma said she has experienced enormous growth since participating in the Miss SA pageant in 2022. She explained that her passion for empowering and inspiring women has only deepened through the platform, motivating her to return this year to strengthen her cause. She expressed gratitude to the pageant for giving her the opportunity to be a positive voice in the lives of more women.

Zuma added that she is at peace with her position as Miss SA 2025 first princess.

“I don’t think people understand that you don’t necessarily need a crown to fulfill your duties. the Miss SA organisation is still going to hold my hand through and ensure that my advocacy does actually breath life into the people that I want to reach. It was such a rewarding moment for me when I got that position knowing that I’ll still be able to be within the proximity of working with the organisation and the queen as well,” she said.

She commended all her fellow contestants for their supportive and encouraging demeanour throughout the pageant.

“They were really amazing. I think the sisterhood that gets born in that system is so beautiful because if you are missing an earing, someone has got you. If you are missing this or that, someone is always there to help. How we were stepping into an new era and having to now hold each other hands in support and not necessarily look at each other as competition, is comforting,” Zuma said.

Luyanda says she tries to not let negative social media comments overshadow her love for her country’s people, She acknowledges that not everyone will see her as a ‘peach’ but makes a point to show respect and kindness to everyone.

Reflecting on the online criticism over the past week, Zuma described it as “just a drop in the large ocean of my amazing supporters who fuel me every single day.”

She continues to advocate for youth empowerment in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of providing resources that help young people channel their creativity in positive and impactful ways.

Meanwhile, social media users have expressed mixed reactions on the matter.

Mind you, Luyanda Zuma didn’t win Miss SA 2025 yet SHE’S the talk of the town. Umona and tribalism is one hell of a drug.

Focus on the winner and celebrate HER instead of being bitter and hateful. https://t.co/mYSgqiHocQ

— rue blanche (@rue_blanche) October 30, 2025

Luyanda Zuma was also my favourite girl to win but she turned out to be a sore loser and petty. I didn’t see a public congratulatory post about Qhawe. I even went through all her stories to see if she acknowledged another Queen but instead she decided to be shady. What a mean…

— Taurus Zuckerberg 💎 (@Real_Precious_M) October 29, 2025

You guys are being so unnecessarily harsh towards Luyanda Zuma, the girl made it to top 2 for goodness sake! She’s extremely smart and she’s a walking goddess, you don’t deem her worthy cause You guys have objectified that girl, leave her alone man it’s enough!!

— Luu🌺 (@luu016_) October 26, 2025

Written by: Odirile Rabalao