American comedian Tiffany Haddish has responded to criticism over a TikTok video she posted, showcasing her visit to a supermarket in Zimbabwe. The video was intended to challenge misconceptions about life in Africa, particularly the perception that there is “war everyday” on the continent.

In the video, Haddish expresses surprise at the size and variety of products available in a supermarket chain in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. “Look at this grocery store. It’s humungous, in Africa,” she remarks while panning the camera over shelves stocked with soft drinks, frozen meat, and fresh fruit. The video has garnered over 200,000 views on TikTok.

Haddish explained that she had been influenced by “crazy stories” about Africans, such as tales of daily violence and constant conflict. Her visit to Zimbabwe, however, has given her a new perspective. “I thought I would share because I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything,” she wrote, emphasizing that her experience has helped her discover the reality of life in Africa.

While some Zimbabweans criticized the video for perpetuating stereotypes, others defended Haddish. One supporter commented, “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.”

Haddish, who is half-Eritrean, previously visited Eritrea in 2018, where she praised long-time ruler Isaias Afwerki, a leader often labelled as a “dictator” by his critics.