American comedian Tiffany Haddish has responded to criticism surrounding her recent TikTok video showcasing her visit to a supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The video sparked backlash from some Zimbabweans on social media, who took issue with Haddish’s apparent surprise and excitement at the modern store’s offerings.
Haddish has defended her video, explaining that she aimed to challenge common misconceptions about Africa being a war-torn continent.
By sharing her positive experience at the supermarket, she hoped to show that everyday life in Zimbabwe is not defined by conflict, but rather by ordinary moments like grocery shopping.
Haddish’s response comes as she seeks to clarify her intentions and address the criticism leveled against her.
“I am an American, a Black one at that, and told for years that people are starving in Africa, showed pictures of babies with flies on them.”
She added that she was told “crazy stories” about how Africans “kill each other” and there is “war everyday”.
But Haddish said that her trip to Zimbabwe has opened her eyes and that she has been “finding out the truth “about the continent”.
“I thought I would share cause I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything,” she wrote.
Some have come to her defence.
“We like that you like our grocery store and all the products that shocked you are just basics here as well, we really aren’t in the forest hanging on trees,” said a voice of support for the actress,” she responded to an X critic.
