Miss Universe Zimbabwe under fire after choosing South African host

The announcement that former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi will host the Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 grand finale on 6 June at Harare's Hippodrome has split opinion online. A section of Zimbabwean social media users are questioning why an international event in Zimbabwe is being fronted by a South African at a moment of heightened cross-border tension.

Tunzi, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2019 and remains the longest, reigning titleholder in the pageant's history, confirmed the booking in a social media post, she wrote:

"Hello Zimbabwe! I'm so excited to share that I will be hosting Miss Universe Zimbabwe Grand Finale on the 6th of June. It's my first time visiting the country and I couldn't be more happier to do it on stage with impeccable young women. See you there."

The Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 winner will represent Zimbabwe at the global Miss Universe competition later this year.

The Digital Backlash: "Taste Their Own Medicine"

The online reaction has been sharply divided. While many social media users welcomed Zozibini Tunzi to Zimbabwe and celebrated the move as a symbol of pan-African unity, others blasted the decision as an insult to local talent and a tone-deaf choice amid ongoing tensions between foreign nationals including Zimbabweans and South Africans.

Theodore Chikuma wrote on the announcement:

"Considering the treatment foreign nationals often receive in South Africa, it is quite surprising that an international organisation would appoint a South African to host one of their global events."

Sukoluhle Ndlovu was blunter: "Don't we have Zimbabweans who can host this Miss Zim Universe sometimes people should just taste their own medicine."

Karabo Makgatho directed her concern at Tunzi herself: "Are you not concerned about going there? With everything that's been happening In the country?" Not all the commentary was negative.

Angeline Joseph pushed back: "If everything was reversed, South Africans will be shouting 'Don't we have local hosts… Abahambe'.... Sad. We are a peaceful nation… We love you… Celebrate you and welcome you with open arms."

Miss Universe Zimbabwe organisation has since locked the comments section on the post announcing Tunzi as host.

The organisers' response: "This is professional, not political"

The Public Dispatch put a detailed set of questions to Miss Universe Zimbabwe regarding the selection process, the decision to bring in a South African at this moment.

"We chose Zozi because she's a former universe and the last African to reign. It's sentimental," the organisation said.

The organisation also drew a firm line between the booking and the broader political climate:

"She's a victim, she's not a participant of what's going on. This is professional it has got nothing to do with what's going on the ground. So if we say she's not allowed to come it means we're also participating in the fight, it'd mean we're retaliating."

"This is a beauty pageant and not a political affiliated organisation, we're a private organisation for models and it should remain like that," she continued.

Asked why Zimbabwean talent was not prioritised, the organisation said:

"For the past ten years it's always Zimbabweans hosting and this time we decided to have an international host," she said.

The organisation further argued that Tunzi’s international profile brings value beyond glamour.

"Everybody knows she's a former Miss Universe and the only black person to do it. So that is the sentiment around her coming. We also specifically asked her to come and visit Zimbabwe because she's never visited this country before,"

Beyond the stage: Seminars and Masterclasses

The organization also highlighted that Tunzi's involvement will bring long-term, tangible benefits to the local industry that outweigh the current online pushback.

"She's also interested in partnering with Zimbabwean models and wants to host a couple of seminars just to give them an insight on what its like to be black on international stage."

Despite the growing online criticism, Miss Universe Zimbabwe claimed it had not received formal complaints from Zimbabweans directly.

The wider context

The controversy now places Miss Universe Zimbabwe in the middle of a broader continental conversation: can the ideals of pan-African unity truly survive while tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals remains unresolved?

For some, Tunzi’s appointment represents African solidarity and international prestige. But for others, it feels tone-deaf at a time when undocumented immigrants from countries including Zimbabwe are increasingly being targeted and chased out of South Africa.

Either way, the decision has ensured one thing, this year’s Miss Universe Zimbabwe finale will arrive carrying far more than crowns and gowns.