A cartoon which depicts the story of the Ndebele king Lobengula selling the country to the British settlers because of sugar has been circulating online. This has angered many people as some claim that it is a tribal insult and this fake narrative should be buried as this event never happened in the history of the Ndebele people.
While history teaches us that King Lobengula was tricked into signing some of the agreements with British settlers,it does not necessary say it was in exchange for sugar.
In the cartoon to narrative of selling land and power to the imperialists is likened to the act of Tshabangu paving way for the Liberation party Zanu Of in the recent by-elections
Journalist Hopewell had this to say : Power without Responsibility!
Whilst freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of journalism, it shouldn’t be used to perpetuate historical lies and myths.
Tshabangu is a fraud, but dragging King Lobengula into Tshabangu’s treachery and perpetuating a tribal lie that King Lobengula sold the country in exchange for sugar is irresponsible journalism and it is hurtful!
Balancing freedom of expression with ethical reporting helps us as journalists to maintain trust and integrity in the dissemination of information on the communities that we save.
This cartoon is irresponsible journalism and its authors should apologise unreservedly!
