Online Reporter
The newly crowned Miss World SA 2026, Romanda Hombir, has set the record straight about identity after her victory sparked a new debate on social media regarding her nationality.
The beauty queen, who won the coveted Miss World SA title on July 18, declared that she is “proudly South African” after the conversation shifted from her win to speculations about her identity.
“In all honesty, I have really understood where people’s concerns are coming from because we want to be able to know that whoever is representing our nation is South African.
“And I am proudly South African, born and bred in South Africa, from Nelspruit (Mpumalanga),” Hombir said in an interview with “SABC News”.
She added that her mother is Black and is of IsiSwati and IsiZulu heritage while her father is Coloured.
The qualified clinical audiologist said that she understands where the confusion about her identity stems from.
“I think that’s where the mixture comes in, where a bit of confusion has come around because we have some German heritage, some Angolan heritage from my father’s side.
“But my parents are South African and I’m South African so the very heartbeat of our nation is what I carry with me. The pride of our nation is what I’ll represent on the Miss World stage.
“The same level of care for our people is what they will be able to see throughout my journey and people should really trust that my love for our country extends far beyond this title,” Hombir said.
The 27-year-old will be representing South Africa at the 75th edition of the prestigious Miss World competition later this year in Vietnam.
The cultural origins of the beauty’s name and surname became the subject of intense social media debate, with many questioning her background while some labeled her “Chidimma Adetshina 2.0”.
@mr_shimmy wrote: “This is really done intentionally now, the organisers of beauty pageants are just testing South Africa at this rate…Romanda Hombir usukaphi? (where does she come from?).
@destinyzee shared: “Are we ever going to have peace as South Africans? There’s Miss SA World named Romanda Hombir? Hombir? These pageants need to be shut down.”
@AlgoTeacher added: “Miss World South Africa, Romanda Hombir. What are her clan names as a South African?” – IOL
