Limpopo’s Vukosi Mathye Crowned as Youngest Miss Drag South Africa

Tzaneen teen Vukosi Mathye took home the crown at the 2025 Miss Drag South Africa pageant this weekend – the youngest to do it in the pageant’s history.

On the 6th of December, the annual Miss Drag South Africa crowning gala made a glamorous return to the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. Eleven contestants from across the country competed for the prestigious title, with 18-year-old Vukosi Mathye taking home the coveted crown and a prize package worth R100 000.

A Night to Remember

The competing queens wowed the judges and audience in three fashion categories: swimwear, national dress and eveningwear. Between categories, the audience was treated to several guest performances from Freddie Lee Grainger, Angel Lalamore, BB Vahlour and the Haus of Vahlour, Emogan Moore and Belinda Qaqamba Ka-Fassie.

Before the announcement of the top five contestants, five special awards were handed out, including the Talent Award – RuBee Lee Lineville (Cape Flats); the People’s Choice Award – RuBee Lee Lineville (Cape Flats); the Multimedia Award – Tammy Fredricks (Beaufort West); the Photogenic Award – Lu-Pitha Snowmoon (Stellenbosch) and the Drag with a Purpose award – Jackye Latrice Majawie (Worcester).

The Drag with a Purpose award recognises contestants’ efforts to create transformational community projects. All contestants coordinate a Drag with a Purpose Project, which was factored into their final score.

Once the top five contestants were announced, they were asked questions on LGBTQ+ current affairs posed by the judging panel before the final deliberation of the queens’ placements.

Vukosi Mathye snatched the crown, followed by RuBee Lee Lineville as 1st Runner Up, Jackye Latrice Majawie as 2nd Runner Up, Tammy Fredricks as 3rd Runner Up and Ofenste as 4th Runner Up.

“The moment my name was announced on stage, I realised a lot is about to change in my life,” Mathye said. “I felt mixed emotions and thought of all who paved the way for me. It was a beautiful moment.”

Mathye is a first‐year LLB student at the University of the Witwatersrand, the middle child of a family of five hailing from Mokgolobotho Village in Tzaneen, Limpopo.

“The judging was exceptionally tough,” said Queen Enigma von Hamburg, director of the pageant. “All the finalists were outstanding, but the winner stood out for her poise, grace, confidence and calmness, especially during the Q&A where she gave a flawless answer.”

Embodying Drag with a Purpose

When asked in the final Q&A what message she would give to any young queer South African feeling unsafe, unseen or alone, Mathye responded, “You do not have to wait for the very same people who promised you false promises for you to be able to live in a world where you feel safe, secure and seen… It is high time that young people are politically conscious and that we teach them how leadership works for them to be able to make it for themselves.”

This message of fearless leadership is one that Mathye has embodied for many years. At the age of 15, Mathye coordinated the first Miss Mokgolobotho pageant, an initiative aimed at empowering young girls in Mokgolobotho Village with leadership skills. Shortly after, Mathye founded Pathfinders Unite, a mentorship program aimed at youth that provides academic support, support for applying for tertiary education and career guidance. So far, the programme has successfully assisted 126 matric learners.

Establishing these important initiatives has not been easy. When asked about the challenges of the Miss Drag South Africa journey, Mathye replied, “The one challenge that I have been facing is in terms of partnership. I had to go alone, I had to do everything alone… but I think that’s what a queen does, so I cannot really call it an obstacle.”

Mathye hopes that her reign will be remembered for the progress it made and for the lives it has touched. “When I entered Miss Drag South Africa, my vision was very clear. I already had a mentorship programme, so I needed a platform to help it reach more people… I really need people to get on board”, Mathye asserted.

Planning for the 2026 Miss Drag South Africa is already underway, and entries for 2026 will open at the end of January 2026.