Miss Drag South Africa Prepares to Crown Its 2025 Queen

After unveiling its finalists earlier this year, Miss Drag South Africa is gearing up for the highly anticipated 2025 crowning gala.

The event takes place on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at Cape Town’s iconic Artscape Theatre. This purposeful, community-driven celebration promises to be one of the LGBTIQ+ highlights of the year.

Founded in 2016 under the ethos of “Drag with a Purpose”, the pageant has become the leading drag competition on the continent. It challenges contestants not only to showcase their artistry but also to launch initiatives that create real, lasting impact within their communities.

A Platform for Visibility and Empowerment

As a registered non-profit company, Miss Drag South Africa welcomes anyone who was assigned male at birth and identifies as non-binary, gay, transgender or another identity within the queer spectrum, and who has a passion for the art of drag.

“The pageant recognises that drag is not a gender identity but a form of expression that has become an impetus for queer liberation,” says Pageant Director Enigma von Hamburg. “Moving beyond conventional notions of beauty pageants, Miss Drag South Africa has become an opportunity to challenge and dismantle those notions.”

The 2024 edition made history when, for the first time, a transgender woman — Anastasia K. Boney, a constable in the South African Police Service — took the crown.

Von Hamburg says the queens earn their titles not only through talent and charisma but also through the strength of their hearts and the depth of their community engagement.

Each of the 12 finalists must design and implement an impactful community project as part of the competition. This component accounts for 30% of the overall score, underscoring the pageant’s commitment to fostering meaningful change.

Event and Ticket Information

Tickets to the Miss Drag South Africa 2025 crowning gala are available via Webtickets and range from R195 to R250, depending on seating. With last year’s event selling out, early booking is strongly encouraged.

The evening begins with a special red-carpet pre-event, where guests can enjoy a glass of MCC and canapés while mingling with the finalists and other distinguished attendees.

Red-carpet tickets are optional, limited, and cost R150 per person. They can be secured by contacting Queen Enigma von Hamburg directly via WhatsApp at 078 515 9645 or email at info@missdragsa.co.za
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