Temba Mliswa steals spotlight from new Miss Universe Zimbabwe with cash-splash stunt…Zvigananda style

What should have been Roseanna Hall’s crowning moment as Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2026 was overshadowed by an unexpected stage invasion from former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, whose decision to shower the newly crowned queen with US dollar notes quickly became the night’s most talked-about moment.

Moments after Hall was crowned in the early hours of Sunday, Mliswa joined her on stage and began throwing US$100 notes into the air in what appeared to be a celebratory gesture.

Instead of enhancing the occasion, the stunt diverted attention away from the winner and immediately sparked criticism on social media.

In international beauty pageants, a winner’s crowning moment is typically carefully choreographed to keep the spotlight firmly on the queen. Photographers and television cameras focus on capturing iconic images as confetti falls and celebrations unfold.

At the Zimbabwe pageant, however, attention shifted from Hall’s achievement to Mliswa’s actions, with many viewers questioning whether the display was appropriate for a national beauty competition.

Comedian and digital content creator Taffy Theman was among those who criticised the incident.

“Moments after the winner was crowned, Temba Mliswa began throwing money over her. No action was taken to stop him,” he wrote on social media, arguing that the gesture appeared misplaced in a professional setting.

“They just let him kongonya around her like a dollar sprinkling uncle at a village wedding. The queen tried to hide her embarrassment behind a smile but that fragile and strained smile displayed the weight of her discomfort.

“Throwing money may be a known Zimbabwean practice at celebrations but in that professional setting, it looked misplaced and deeply embarrassing, especially for the winner. Chirauro hachingokandwe pese pese Bhuru!” Taffy wrote.

Political commentator Dr Blessing Vava also weighed in, using the controversy to question the direction of Zimbabwean beauty pageants and their growing association with politics.

“Since ZANU PF and Zviganandas (corrupt elite) captured the Miss Universe Zimbabwe pageant, the event lost its lustre at a national level.

“What used to unite Zimbabweans across political lines now feels partisan. When pageants become political branding tools instead of platforms for talent, culture, and national pride, the whole country loses.

“A while ago all, we used to know who Miss Zimbabwe was, I recall the days of Angeline Musasiwa, Loreen Sibanda, Dione Best, Annette Kambarami etc, any ordinary person aitoziva.

“Not many know the outgoing Miss Zim, the only time we got to know her was when she was following IshowSpeed akazonyadziswa kubhawa achiteera mwana.

“Zanu PF (ruling party) please, not everything should be politicized. Zvese kuma comedy, kubhora murikuvhiringidza.

“Some spaces need to stay national — where a girl from Mutare or kwedu ku Chipinge ku Chikore and a girl from Plumtree kwa Madlambuzi can compete for the same crown, not party colors.

“Beauty, culture, and youth potential deserve better than political capture. Saka ibvai pazvinhu zve wanhu…. ” Vava wrote on Facebook.