South Africans Question Identity of Miss World SA 2026 Winner

Romanda Hombir was crowned Miss World South Africa 2026, with the competition scheduled to take place in Vietnam in August. Hombir, who previously competed in the 2024 edition and finished as second runner-up, is described by the pageant organization as having Swati, Zulu, and German heritage.

However, her victory has sparked backlash on social media, with users questioning her South African identity and authenticity. This scrutiny is reminiscent of the controversy surrounding the withdrawal of a contestant from the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, which led to public debate and an investigation into the contestant's mother's identity documents.

The backlash against Hombir has been visible on Instagram, with users comparing her emergence to last year's controversies in South African beauty pageants.