From stepping onto pageant stages to using her platform to empower young women, Renai Rishi has built her journey around purpose, culture and community. Currently Queen of South Africa 2026 and a Miss India South Africa finalist, Rishi is also the founder of the Lead With Purpose initiative, which focuses on women empowerment, youth development and inclusivity.
Tabloid Newspapers sat down with Rishi to find out more about the woman behind the titles, her roots, her journey through pageantry and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
Tabloid Newspapers (TN): For readers meeting you for the first time, who is Renai Rishi away from the titles, pageants and public appearances?
Renai Rishi (RR): Away from the titles, I am just a simple girl. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend — someone who loves spending time with family, who still gets shy and nervous, and who believes in being kind even when no one is watching.
TN: What are some of your favourite memories from home?
RR: It was simple, loving and full of lessons. My favourite memories are sitting in the kitchen with my mum while she cooks, family prayers and festivals together, and our neighbours looking out for each other like family. That sense of togetherness shaped me.
TN: You are currently Queen of South Africa 2026 and a Miss India South Africa finalist. What first sparked your interest in pageantry?
RR: I never thought I would be in pageantry. I wanted to challenge myself, come out of my shell and have a platform to help others. Pageantry gave me a voice.
TN: What has pageantry taught you that you did not expect to learn when you first entered?
RR: It taught me so much more. It taught me how to speak from the heart, how to serve, how to handle disappointment, and how to be a leader even when no one is clapping. It taught me that a crown is a responsibility, not just an achievement.
TN: Do you ever feel pressure to always appear confident and composed because of the public role you hold?
RR: Yes, I do. Sometimes I feel like I always have to be perfect, always smiling, always strong. But I am learning that it is okay to have bad days too. Being a queen does not mean you don’t struggle; it means you keep going even when it is hard.
TN: What does confidence mean to you now compared with when you were younger?
RR: When I was younger, I thought confidence was about how you look or how loud you can be. Now I know confidence is quiet. It is believing in yourself, being kind, and standing up for what you believe in even when your voice shakes.
TN: Heritage Month saw you embrace both your Indian identity and broader South African cultures. What does heritage mean to you personally?
RR: Heritage to me means remembering where you come from while respecting where others come from. It is not just about wearing traditional clothes; it is about carrying your culture in your values, your manners and how you treat people. My Indian heritage is in everything I do — in how I respect my elders, in our family prayers, in the food we eat, and in how we celebrate festivals like Diwali with so much love. It keeps me grounded.
TN: Is there a family tradition, celebration, food or cultural practice that immediately makes you feel at home?
RR: Definitely Diwali at home, and my mum’s cooking. When we all come together, light diyas, pray together and eat together — that is home for me. Nothing makes me feel more at peace.
TN: You hosted your first Cultural Fashion Showcase recently. What was running through your mind just before you stepped out to host it?
RR: Honestly, I was so nervous. I just kept telling myself, “Renai, just be yourself and speak from the heart. You have worked so hard for this.” My favourite moment was seeing all the different cultures on one stage and seeing the audience smile and cheer. It was not just a fashion show; it was unity in action.
TN: You recently wore traditional Zulu attire for your Heritage Month shoot. What did that experience teach you about celebrating and respecting cultures beyond your own?
RR:Wearing Zulu attire was such an honour. It taught me that when you respectfully embrace another culture, you are not taking away from your own, you are actually celebrating South Africa as a whole. It taught me about sisterhood and unity.
TN: Your Lead With Purpose initiative focuses on women empowerment, youth development and inclusivity. Why are those three causes particularly close to your heart?
RR: Because I have lived it. I know what it feels like to be a young girl from a small community who doubts herself. I know what it feels like to be judged by where you come from. I chose these causes because I want to change that narrative. I want every young girl to know she belongs and her voice matters.
TN: Of all the charity work you have been involved in, which experience has affected you most personally?
RR:Volunteering at the KZN Dog House and supporting CANSA touched me the most. It showed me that compassion has no limits. Whether you are helping a person or an animal, a small act of kindness can bring so much hope. It made me more grateful and more humble.
TN: What do you think young women sometimes misunderstand about success, beauty or confidence?
RR: That it has to be perfect. Young women think success is instant, beauty is only about looks, and confidence means never being scared. But it is not true. Success takes time, beauty is in your heart and how you treat others, and confidence is being scared but still showing up.
TN: You have built an academic career alongside pageantry and community work. What keeps you motivated when your schedule becomes overwhelming?
RR: My parents and my purpose. I remember why I started — to make them proud and to create a better future for myself and for others. I also remind myself that education is something no one can take away from me. I have my Honours in HR and qualifications in Supply Chain, and that is my foundation.
TN: When life gets busy, what do you do to switch off and feel like yourself again?
RR: I go home. I spend time with family, I listen to music, I pray, and I take a break from social media. Sometimes I just go for a drive. That brings me back to myself.
TN: Looking beyond pageantry, what kind of woman — and what kind of impact — do you hope people remember Renai Rishi for?
RR: I want to be remembered as the girl who stayed humble, who lifted others as she rose, and who served with love. Not just for the crowns, but for the impact. If I can make even one young girl believe in herself, then I have done my job.
