eMbalenhle model reaches new heights after being crowned Mister Cosmopolitan South Africa

Nkosikhona Roro (23) from eMbalenhle has taken his modelling career to new heights after being crowned Mister Cosmopolitan South Africa 2026, then finishing as runner-up in the same international competition hosted in Vietnam at the beginning of September.

These accolades added more titles to his growing pageantry career. Roro, who is also Mister Mpumalanga 2026, said the achievement is a dream come true and a chance to show that young people from small towns can make their mark on bigger stages.

His modelling journey began in 2023 when he started runway modelling at the Ubizo Lwami Foundation. In 2025, he joined the Lerato Nogabe Foundation, where he entered the Mr Ekasi 2025 pageant and was crowned king.

However, Roro said he wanted to take his career further and compete at higher levels of pageantry.

That ambition led him to enter the Mister Mpumalanga 2026 competition, where he was crowned Mister Mpumalanga 2026 and subsequently selected as Mister Cosmopolitan South Africa 2026.

“I look forward to building a brotherhood with my fellow contestants and representing South Africa with pride and dignity, by showing the world how a true gentleman with a noble heart can come from a small town like eMbalenhle and make an impact in the world, while also empowering young people to follow their dreams with confidence,” said Roro.

Roro said his ultimate ambition is to become one of the biggest models in the world while using his platform to help young people discover themselves and opportunities within the modelling industry.

He said he is particularly passionate about empowering young men.

“I advocate for empowering and building the boy child because I believe, as a society, we have the responsibility to equip every young man with opportunities that will lead them in the right direction and enable them to make an impact in society,” he said.

Roro said he enjoys fashion and often dresses formally, although he also appreciates keeping things simple and casual.

ALSO CHECK: DA reports Lekwa CFO appointment and contract extension to Public Protector

Away from the runway and pageants, Roro is currently studying Human Resource Management at Gert Sibande TVET College.

He is the sixth-born in a family of six siblings and said his family remains an important source of support.

“I have five siblings, and I’m the sixth-born; we are very close,” he said.

With his latest title, Roro now hopes to use his growing platform to inspire aspiring models, particularly young people from communities such as eMbalenhle, to believe that their circumstances do not have to determine the size of their dreams.