Tribalist presenter blames colonial era abuse on King Lobengula 'who loved sugar' live on TV

During last week's broadcast of Good Morning Zimbabwe (GMZ), ZBC Presenter Victoria Manase attributed colonial-era abuses by whites on black people to Ndebele King Lobengula from the 1800s, suggesting that he had been influenced by sugar. This statement was made on national television.

Co-host Farai Magada also joined the discussion, asserting that despite the 'ills' of colonialism, it was a necessary evil as it allowed them to 'sit in front of cameras and wear proper clothes, not nhembe.'

Zimbabwe is institutionally and inherently tribalist @nickmangwana @dhonzamusoro007 Is this what is being taught in Zimbabwe/ Mashonaland schools? pic.twitter.com/P9dNktAJnH

— Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) January 9, 2024

This controversy arose following a recent incident where a local daily merged an image of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu with that of King Lobengula, both holding a pack of sugar. Manase's comments and the image are rooted in a long-standing stereotype of King Lobengula, who signed the Rudd Concession, ultimately leading to the colonization of present-day Zimbabwe.