President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week sparked debate after his joke appeared to mock the revered Ndebele king, Lobengula.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200027725/ed-in-king-lobengula-jibe">NewsDay</a>, Mnangagwa on Thursday said King Lobengula was ignorant of innovation and killed a man who had shown him a mirror after seeing his reflection.
He made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Chivhu at Makumimavi Primary School while commissioning 17 schools.
Mnangagwa urged young people to embrace new information and communication technologies and be tech-savvy so that they will not be like the “old man” Lobengula. He said:
<blockquote>
As I was touring the school, I saw the computer system — pupils in one class were talking to others in another class and we were seeing them through the computer system.
It happened long back and I was telling VaChiwenga [Vice-President Constantino]. Long back, Mambo Lubengula (Lobengula), King Lubengula, when he heard from Queen Victoria — she invited King Lubengula for a friendship, but she said, ‘For it to be stronger, send your three envoys so that they will come and see where I rule because my missionaries have seen your jurisdiction already, so send yours so that they will see here (England).
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa said King Lobengula later sent his three envoys to England, who brought a mirror. He said:
<blockquote>
So the three envoys went and were given a mirror and they looked into the mirror and saw themselves.
When they returned, before they had explained what transpired, they gave the King the mirror and he saw himself and said, Umthakathi lowu. Bulala Umthakhathi… (This is a witch kill this witch).
And the man died. So we do not want people among you who are dull like this old man. We must promote education, science and technology.
</blockquote>
The remarks ignited animated discussions within the crowd, with some expressing their disgruntlement through inaudible interjections.
Mnangagwa reportedly paused his speech as the palpable discontent became apparent.
This comes barely five months after ZBC suspended two presenters Farai Magada and Victoria Manase for denigrating Lobengula live on national television.
King Lobengula was the last Ndebele monarch. He ruled the Matabele Kingdom after the death of his father Mzilikazi in 1868, until the demise of the Kingdom in the mid-1890s.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Mnangagwa’s Joke About King Lobengula Sparks Debate

Suspended ZBCtv “Good Morning Zimbabwe” presenter Victoria Manase (right) has issued a public apology more than a week after claiming on the programme that the 19th century King Lobengula of the Ndebele sold the country to colonialists “for his love of sugar.”
Manase said she takes full responsibility for the comments which she described as “truly repulsive and insensitive”. She said:
<blockquote>
Last week, on the show Good Morning Zimbabwe live on ZBC TV, I made some remarks which, with the benefit of hindsight, were truly repulsive and insensitive to the cultural diversity of our beloved country.
I want to sincerely apologise to the entire nation and anyone who was offended, angered, or hurt by my words. I take full responsibility for my actions and I am truly sorry for the pain I have caused.
I want to emphasize that my comments were never part of the script for the show, and they absolutely do not reflect the values and principles upheld by the ZBC as an institution, its Board, or its dedicated staff members.
My deepest apologies go out to the Board, my co-host Farai, all the staff members, and our loyal and valued audience.
Now, more than ever, I understand the importance of the Good Morning Zimbabwe live show respecting and celebrating the rich cultural diversity that exists in our country.
I truly understand that the show should never contribute to any sense of division, be it cultural, tribal, or racial.
Once again, I am truly sorry, and I promise to learn from this experience.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZBC Presenter Victoria Manase Apologises For Tribal Remarks

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has apologised to the nation and vowed to take disciplinary action against its presenters who made tribal remarks on air.
Last Wednesday on Good Morning Zimbabwe, presenters, Farai Juliet Magada and Victoria Manase claimed that the 19th century Ndebele King Lobengula Khumalo sold the country’s mineral resources to colonialists for sugar and that colonialism was justified to some extent.
In a statement, ZBC Acting Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jonathan Gandari said the remarks made by the presenters do not represent the views of the public broadcaster. Read part of the statement:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) extends its apologies to the people of Zimbabwe, and its audiences regarding the inappropriate remarks made by the presenters of Good Morning Zimbabwe on Wednesday, 3rd January 2024.
The National Broadcaster places it on record that the said remarks do not represent the views of the ZBC.
ZBC holds great respect for all the people of Zimbabwe, as well as the valorous history of our forefathers in defending their land, humanity, and dignity.
Furthermore, ZBC assures the nation that it upholds a comprehensive Editorial Policy that places national interests at the forefront of all content.
Concurrently, appropriate disciplinary measures are being taken against any individuals found to have violated the Standard Operating Procedures and Editorial Policy of the national broadcaster.
</blockquote>
A video clip of the presenters has now gone viral with them discussing historical issues about the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994.
The discussion, which they described as trivia, focuses on South Africa, colonialism and slavery.
During the discussion, the presenters made the remarks that sparked outrage and reportedly resulted in their suspension pending further disciplinary action.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZBC Apologises Over Tribal Remarks, Vows To Take Disciplinary Against Presenters

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana said the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) will take appropriate action against two presenters who made controversial comments about King Lobengula and colonialism live on air.
ZBC presenter Victoria Manase, and Farai Magada, who was a co-host on last Wednesday’s Good Morning Zimbabwe (GMZ), are under scrutiny following their remarks.
Speaking last week live on air as they discussed apartheid in South Africa, Manase claimed that King Lobengula was enticed with sugar into selling his lands to colonialists.
Magada argued that despite its “ills” colonialism was a necessary evil as they could now “sit in front of cameras and wear proper clothes not nhembe.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mangwana said King Lobengula was deceived by Europeans into signing a mineral concession, that became known as the Rudd Concession, adding that “The sugar nonsense is just that.” He wrote:
<blockquote>
Now to those who argue that this brought positivity to the people of Zimbabwe and future generations, there is nothing original about this banal argument.
In 2017 Helen Zille of South Africa had to apologise after she said there were positive legacies of colonialism such as “piped water, transport infrastructure and an independent judiciary”.
Colonialism dehumanized people, made them subjects to a foreign-based monarch, changed their way of life and pillaged their resources.
Can an African American argue there are positive legacies of slavery because slavery made them Americans? Of course, that’s a very heightened level of ignorance.
There was nothing wrong with the African way of life. There was nothing wrong with the African economic system.
There was nothing wrong with the African’s Religious systems and certainly nothing wrong with the African’s dressing.
The administrative issues around a related trending issue will be dealt with by the institution. It is adequately equipped with codes, rules and guidelines to deploy.
</blockquote>
Asked by one of his followers to “just reproach what those ladies said and make them apologize, then fire them”, Mangwana said:
<blockquote>
You are the same person who will immediately turn around and say the Perm Sec is interfering with the running of the ZBC, corporate governance blah blah. I said the issue will be dealt with by the institution.
</blockquote>
Mangwana was also asked to give updates on disciplinary action against the presenters to which he responded:
<blockquote>
I am not the employer. Their employer will take the necessary action.
</blockquote>
The decades-old narrative suggests Lobengula, the king of the Ndebele people in what is present-day Zimbabwe, made a deal with British imperialists in the late 19th century, trading mineral rights for sugar. This has been dismissed by historians as false.
Historians say King Lobengula was made to sign the mineral concession whose contents were not fully and truthfully explained to him by a white missionary Charles Helm, who spoke Ndebele fluently and was the intepreter.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZBC Presenters To Face Disciplinary Action Over King Lobengula Comments - Mangwana

A ZBC presenter has been criticised for repeating a decades-long unfounded claim that King Lobengula sold his dominions to European fortune hunters for sugar.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/watch-zbc-presenter-blames-colonial-era-abuse-on-ndebele-king-lobengula-who-loved-sugar-live-on-tv/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> identified the ZBC presenter as Victoria Manase, and the co-host as Farai Magada.
Speaking last week live on air as they discussed apartheid in South Africa, Manase claimed that King Lobengula was enticed with sugar into selling his lands to colonialists.
Magada argued that despite its “ills” colonialism was a necessary evil as they could now “sit in front of cameras and wear proper clothes not nhembe.”
Manase and Magada said this live on national television while hosting Wednesday’s Good Morning Zimbabwe (GMZ).
Commenting on the issue, respected journalist Nqaba Matshazi said the remarks by the two presenters show that tribalism is institutionalised in Zimbabwe. He posted on X (formerly Twitter):
<blockquote>
This bellend from ZBC is discussing apartheid South Africa &amp; somehow she finds a way of linking it to Lobengula and his love for sugar.
What stupidity is this &amp; why is it allowed on a public broadcaster? Zimbabwe is institutionally and inherently tribalist.
One says colonialism was a necessary evil and another talks about weak points. How are these two still in jobs?
</blockquote>
Political and social commentator Setfree Nherera Mafukidze said the remarks are unacceptable. He wrote:
<blockquote>
One of the ladies in this @ZBCNewsonline video blames King Lobengula for colonial-era abuses because he loved sugar.
Honestly, who allows these people to speak on National Television running with colonial narratives which were created to put a wedge between tribes in Zimbabwe?
In all this no-one wants to mention how King Lobengula led a war against the colonialists, no-one wants to say that he fought against the invasion.
I don’t think we should continue with such narratives.
</blockquote>
Human rights campaigner Samkeliso Tshuma said ZBC should be taken to task for propagating distorted history. She said:
<blockquote>
I’m so disgusted by this. Ngicela ungithumezele ivideo. I want to send organisations like lbhetshu, MRO and other Mthwakazi orgs.
We need to write letters to ZBC speaking against this. This is not on. I am tired of distorted history.
</blockquote>
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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="270" id="video-269366-1" preload="metadata" width="480"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ZBC-Presenters.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ZBC-Presenters.mp4">https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ZBC-Presenters.mp4</a></video></div>
There was an uproar recently when a local publication fused an image of CCC activist Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the party’s Interim Secretary General, and King Lobengula while holding a pack of sugar.
The mainline CCC party allege Tshabangu was given money by ZANU PF to destroy the opposition, an allegation the political activist has rejected. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZBC Presenter Blames Colonial Era Abuses On King Lobengula "Who Loved Sugar"

Surviving members of the Ndebele monarch, Prince Peter Zwide Khumalo has donated blankets to Ekusileni Medical centre which is being used as one of Bulawayo’s COVID-19 isolation centres, Newsday reports.
Speaking while handing over the blankets, Prince Khumalo said:
<blockquote>This initial donation of blankets to Ekusileni Hospital by me, the King Lobengula family unveiled, King Nyamanda Lobengula lI, is a humble gesture to ensure that the first few of us that will be treated at this hospital find warmth in these blankets.
We draw lessons from our ancestors on how they responded to emergencies and disasters. Ubuntu value system through leadership had an inspiring influence that gave hope and success. Isibindi (courage) in leadership and among followers created ukuzithoba (discipline) and focus on the targets to be achieved. Ubungcitshi bengqondo (wisdom) in leadership built trust and faith that things would be fine at the end of the day. The third element in building inspiration was the collective ethic. We are in it together … our common vision is to save lives.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Bulawayo has thus far recorded 10 cases since 5 people tested positive for the virus yesterday.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/04/ndebele-monarch-donates-to-ekusileni-medical-centre/">Newsday </a>

King Lobengula's Descendants Donate To Ekusileni Medical Center One Of Bulawayo's COVID-19 Isolation Centers

The descendants of King Lobengula say that they want the government to give them back land where the Bulawayo State House was built to restore their heritage.
The King Lobengula Royal Trust intends to turn the area in Sauerstown into a cultural hub that will help preserve Ndebele culture.
Lobengula was the last King of an independent Ndebele State whose headquarters was Bulawayo.
One of the claimants to the Ndebele throne, Prince Zwide Khumalo said:
<blockquote>The politics of the right to claim ownership of Bulawayo lies in the bitter history of oppression by white colonialists. Cecil John Rhodes grabbed 
the King’s palace, eMahlabathini, and built his house on that land.
In our culture, no one builds his house on another man’s yard (unxiwa) unless with the express permission of the owner of the land.
The identity of one’s homestead is anchored on the rituals of establishing the home (isikhonkwane). Cecil John Rhodes did not know or care to observe the Ndebele culture when he aggressively grabbed and occupied our land.
There is no historical record that indicates that isikhonkwane for our palace was ever removed.</blockquote>
Prince Zwide said that the area where the State House was built used to be King Lobengula’s palace.
However, the government has hitherto refused to recognise the Ndebele Kingdom. At one point, a planned coronation of the Ndebele King was suppressed by the government.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2019/07/21/lobengula-descendants-demand-state-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Standard</a></h4>

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