Tribalists advised not to perpetuate a stereotype that King Lobengula betrayed the struggle for sugar

Media lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Professor Mphathisi Ndlovu advised media houses that representation matters in their content.

This follows the publication of a 'controversial' cartoon which perpetuate stereotypes on Ndebele people make offensive generalisations that lack validity by Zimbabwe Daily (ZimDaily).

"It is not just about King Lobengula but about the Ndebele people. The king is a symbol of people. Don't perpetuate a stereotype that the king betrayed the struggle for sugar and now link it to Tshabangu, spelt with a C, which brings other issues of language," he said.

"Why is Tshabangu with a C? There is another debate of how the Ndebele language and spellings are butchered?"

Prof Ndlovu said linking Tshabangu with King Lobengula while talking about a social group betraying a struggle was "actually perpetuating false narratives."

"That is wrong, especially looking at oppositional politics since 1980 in Matabeleland. This has been a region of oppositional politics, now and in the past elections, as people in Matabeleland have been voting for the opposition," he said.

"There may be some innocence in your work but that satire was distasteful and is a lesson. ZimDaily was off the mark."