Miss World SA Romanda Hombir shows off national costume

Miss World South Africa’s Romanda Hombir has been turning heads with the reveal of her national costume at the pageant finale, currently taking place this weekend in Vietnam.

In recent weeks, the clinical audiologist has sparked backlash over her identity.

However, the beauty queen – who was crowned in July Africa Beauty International – has confirmed that she is “proudly South African”,

MISS WORLD SA ROMANDA HOMBIR’S NATIONAL COSTUME TURNS HEADS

In the lead-up to the Miss World pageant finale on Saturday, 5 September, Romanda Hombir shared a look at her national costume.

The ensemble was created by Hollywood Costumes and featured a bejewelled corset gown with feathers, sequins, and beads in the colours of the South African flag. On the back of her cape was a picture of the country’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela, with the words “Freedom, Equality, Unity, Respect, Hope, Love” printed underneath.

The costume particularly honoured Madiba, as Romanda was crowned on Nelson Mandela Day – 18 July.

The designers said of their creation: “This national costume pays tribute to the essence of being a proudly South African queen, who walks in the footsteps of those who have gone before her, and leads the way for those coming behind her”.

In a clip posted on social media, Romanda Hombir was seen showing off her national costume as she danced.

Take a look…

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN

On social media, Miss World South Africa Romanda Hombir has been scrutinised over her identity.

Some social media users have even accused the 27-year-old of being a “Chidimma 2.0”, referring to another beauty queen who is facing deportation over her illegal immigration status.

In an interview with Morning Live in July, Romanda clarified confusion about her identity.

She said: “I have understood where people’s concerns are coming from because we want to know that whoever is representing our nation is South African.

“I am proudly South African. 

“I am born and bred in South Africa, in Nelspruit. My mother is a black woman; she is of Swati and Zulu heritage. My father is coloured, that is where the confusion has come from. We have some German heritage. My parents are South African; I am South African. The very heartbeat of our nation is what I carry with me”.