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Celebrities and clowns usher in festive cheer

Miss South Africa 2025’s First Princess, Luyanda Zuma, officially switched on the dazzling festive lights at Time Square Pretoria east, ushering in the holiday season. Families enjoyed a magical evening filled with laughter, clowns, a Christmas angel, the Grinch, and sparkling celebrations.

A magical festive glow filled the air at Time Square Pretoria east as two cheerful clowns, a graceful Christmas angel, and the mischievous Grinch came together to celebrate the much-anticipated Switching On of the Lights ceremony.

Families gathered outside the Square’s Plaza in Menlyn Maine as the countdown to the festive season officially began just after dusk on December 5.

Miss South Africa 2025’s first princess, Luyanda Zuma, with the choir of the Time Square Choir at the switching on of the Christmas lights. Photo: Elize Parker

Laughter, colour, and holiday spirit surrounded the crowd, creating picture-perfect moments as Miss South Africa 2025’s first princess, Luyanda Zuma, performed the honour of switching on the dazzling Christmas display.

The Thompson family with Annika holding Colton and Eldan holding Caldon

Zuma said: “Tonight, we switch on more than lights. We switch on joy and the magic of the season. Seeing families gather under this sparkle reminds me how powerful moments of togetherness truly are.”

A joyful clown ushered in the festive season with bright smiles and playful charm at the switching on of the lights at time Square in Pretoria east, capturing the magic as lights, laughter, and celebration filled the air, inviting everyone to share in the wonder and warmth. Photo: Elize Parker

Once the lights were twinkling away, she took to doing some dancing with the crowds on vibey saxophone music.

“Pretoria’s spirit shines as brightly as every bulb we lit tonight,” said Zuma.

Miss South Africa 2025’s first princess, Luyanda Zuma switched on the lights. With her is Azariya Ramsuraj. Photo: Elize Parker
Waldo and Doreen Bierman of Pretoria West Photo: Elize Parker

With shimmering décor, bright smiles, and playful character interactions, the event marked the start of a month-long wonderland running until January 4, 2026.

Unathi and Yintando Vuma with Theo Moeng (right) from Centurion and the Christmas Grinch (back). Photo: Elize Parker
Rogate and Enrico Lavita Photo: Elize Parker

Free entry and special treats for children added to the joy, inviting the community to return and experience the magic again and again. A truly unforgettable evening of lights, excitement, and festive cheer.

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Elize Parker

Elize Parker is a senior journalist with more than 25 years of experience covering especially environmental, municipal and profile articles. She writes investigative reports, profiles, social articles and consumer related articles and also does photographs and multimedia to go with these. Previously she worked as a news editor for a radio station, news reader, a magazine journalist with women’s magazines and as a column writer.
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