South Africa has reason to celebrate after Romanda Hombir was crowned Miss World Africa at the 73rd Miss World pageant, held on Saturday in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The pageant marked the first time Vietnam has played host to the prestigious event.

Hombir, a 27-year-old clinical audiologist from Mpumalanga, earned the continental title after winning the African Head-to-Head Challenge, which secured her a place in the Top 40. She then progressed through the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the Top six finalists – the highest placement for South Africa at Miss World since Rolene Strauss won the crown outright in 2014.

The overall title went to Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic, who was crowned by the outgoing Miss World, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes Alabern finished as first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty took second runner-up and was also named winner of the Beauty with a Purpose project for her humanitarian work.

First ever appearance

This year’s edition was a landmark in more ways than one. With 111 contestants from across the globe, the pageant welcomed several countries making their first-ever appearance on the Miss World stage. The Maldives, Pakistan, Eritrea, French Guiana and Mozambique all debuted at the 2026 event, adding fresh faces and stories to the competition.

For Pakistan, the debut was particularly historic. The Miss Pakistan World organisation had been working towards this moment for 25 years before Anniqa Meraj finally walked the Miss World stage in Vietnam. The Maldives’ Mariyam Eema Mohamed similarly made history as the first-ever Miss World Maldives.

The grand finale was presented by Stephanie Del Valle and Daniel Mejía at the April 2nd Square in Nha Trang, capping off a week of events across Vietnam that celebrated beauty, purpose and cultural exchange on a grand scale.

For Hombir and South Africa, the night was a proud reminder that the country remains a force on the global pageant stage — and that the Miss World crown may not be far out of reach.