A new Miss Drag South Africa is set to be crowned in December.
It’s been eight years since the first pageant, which took place in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Zilin Ayoki Zhang, an educator who hails from Mitchells Plain, was bestowed the sparkling crown.
Now, a few years and fabulous winners later, 13 finalists with a passion for drag from across South Africa will compete for the crown in less than two weeks.
MISS DRAG SOUTH AFRICA: GRAND FINALE ELEGANZA
The grand finale of the pageant will take place at the illustrious Artscape Theatre in Cape Town on Saturday, 6 December 2025.
The three-hour event, which includes an interval, will start at 18:00.
Tickets cost between R195 and R250 for seating. As for tickets for the red carpet experience – which includes canapés and a glass of champagne on arrival – the organisers are selling these separately for R150.
MEET THE 2025 FINALISTS
Take a look at who’ll be competing in this year’s grand finale:
- Asemahle – Queenstown
- Carla Gulante Vontez – Wellington
- Chloe-Leigh Jade Alvarez – Plettenberg Bay
- Jackey Latric Majawie – Worcester
- KamvaTheDragQueen – Khayelitsha
- Lu-Magan – East London
- Lu-Pitha Snowmoon – Stellenbosch
- Ofentse – Pretoria
- RuBee Lee Lineville – Cape Flats
- Stacey-Leigh Anastazah Jones – Stellenbosch
- Tammy Fredericks – Beaufort West
- Vukosi Mathye – Tzaneen
- Whitney Miss Houston – Qaqerqa
As you can see, the contestants come from all over Mzansi, all with really diverse backgrounds. What’s more, they represent the LGBTQIA+ spectrum in many facets. Combined with their passion for the art of drag, they are out here breaking barriers and inspiring others.
MISS DRAG SOUTH AFRICA: A PLATFORM FOR ‘QUEER LIBERATION’
Per Mamba Online, pageant director Enigma von Hamburg highlighted the importance of the event, specifically its role in advancing queer liberation.
“The pageant recognises that drag is not a gender identity but a form of expression that has become an impetus for queer liberation,” Von Hamburg said.
“Moving beyond conventional notions of beauty pageants, Miss Drag South Africa has become an opportunity to challenge and dismantle those notions.”
If you’re ready to see who will become Miss Drag South Africa 2025, be sure to get your tickets from www.webtickets.co.za before they’re sold out!
