Romanda Hombir has been crowned Miss World Africa 2026 after reaching the final six at the 73rd Miss World final in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

The 27-year-old South African clinical audiologist was named Miss World Africa after reaching the Top 6, while Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic won the global title. Hombir’s Top 6 finish is South Africa’s best Miss World result since Rolene Strauss won the global crown in 2014.

Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir

Hombir’s progress began with a win in the African Head-to-Head Challenge, which earned her an automatic place in the Top 40.

She went on to reach the Top 20 and then the Top 12 before securing her place in the final six.

Her result came alongside a strong showing from other African contestants. Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin also reached the Top 6, while Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George advanced to the Top 12 after winning the Miss World Africa Top Model competition.

Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir

Hombir is a clinical audiologist and community health advocate. She founded the Caring Purpose Foundation, which works on healthcare access, literacy programmes, nutrition initiatives, mobile health screenings and skills development.

Healthcare has also been central to her Miss World advocacy. Hombir has spoken publicly about her experience with endometriosis and has used her platform to raise awareness of women’s health conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and fibroids.

Her Beauty With a Purpose project focused on improving access to healthcare while connecting health advocacy with education and community development.

Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir

Hombir is from kaNyamazane in Mpumalanga and is of Swati, Zulu and German heritage. She speaks English, Siswati, isiZulu and Afrikaans, as well as basic South African Sign Language.

She previously competed at Miss World South Africa, finishing as second runner-up in 2024. In 2026, she returned to the competition and won the national title in July, earning the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Miss World competition in Vietnam.

The national crown was awarded on Mandela Day, July 18, at the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn, Pretoria. Former Miss World finalist Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala presented the crown under South Africa’s new Miss World licence.

Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir

Hombir and Tewoldemedhin’s Top 6 finishes gave Africa two places among the final six contestants. Tewoldemedhin also won the global fan vote, receiving more than 13 million votes.

Nigeria’s Karibi-George reached the Top 12 after winning Miss World Africa Top Model, which secured her a place in the Top 40.

Hombir’s new title gives her greater visibility for the healthcare and community work she has pursued alongside her professional career.

Photo – Instagram/@Romanda Hombir

She has said she hopes to contribute to healthcare and education policy, particularly in areas affecting children and vulnerable communities. She has also expressed an ambition to work with the United Nations on healthcare, education and nutrition access.

Her Miss World campaign took her from winning the Miss World South Africa title to the African Head-to-Head Challenge, followed by progression through the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top 6.

The global crown went to Mola, but Hombir leaves Vietnam as Miss World Africa 2026 and one of South Africa’s highest-placed Miss World contestants in recent years.