The crowning of Romanda Hombir as Miss World South Africa 2026 has sparked fresh controversy on social media, with some South Africans questioning her identity and nationality shortly after she won the title.

Hombir is set to represent South Africa at the 75th Miss World competition in Vietnam this August. Her victory has drawn mixed reactions online, with some users comparing the situation to previous pageant nationality disputes.

Social Media Questions Hombir’s Identity

According to the official Miss World South Africa Instagram page, Hombir is no stranger to pageantry. She competed in the 2024 edition of the contest, finishing as second runner-up before claiming this year’s crown.

Outside pageantry, Hombir works as an audiologist and motivational speaker. She is also the founder of the Caring Purpose Foundation, which supports literacy programmes, nutrition projects, mobile health screenings and skills training for underserved communities.

Despite organisers describing her as having Swati, Zulu and German heritage, some social media users questioned whether she is truly South African.

A South African blog, Mzansi Farmer, shared a video that read: “Another foreigner crowned Miss World South Africa? Romanda Hombir wins the crown, and South Africans are asking the obvious question: Which tribe is she from? Enough is enough.”

On X, user Mr Algorithm asked: “Miss World South Africa Romanda Hombir. What are her clan names as a South African?”

Another user, Alkebu_lan, wrote: “Her name is Romanda Hombir. We know nothing about her as South African citizens. I’m sure she doesn’t even speak or know any of our SA languages.”

Judaeda Blanco also commented: “Another Chidimma Adetshina.”

Supporters Defend the New Queen

Not everyone agreed with the criticism.

X user Liwaaiy defended Hombir, writing: “People, Romanda Hombir is a legit South African born in my home province, Mpumalanga, and her dad is German. Let us not ‘Chidimma’ her. We are safe on this one.”

Another user, Fumai Mufakose, added: “Romanda Hombir is South African from Mpumalanga. The surname is South African.”

Memories of Previous Controversy

The debate has revived memories of the controversy surrounding Chidimma Adetshina, who withdrew from the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant after her nationality became the subject of public debate.

The renewed criticism against Hombir also comes amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where calls for the removal of undocumented foreigners have increased in recent months.