ZBC bosses scheme to bring back TV presenter involved in Lobengula jibe

Bosses at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) are reportedly plotting to bring back presenter Farai Magada who, together with co-presenter Victoria Manase, were ousted after making a derogatory remark about Ndebele monarch, King Lobengula.

Magada and Manase stirred a hornet’s nest in January when they alleged that the Ndebele king had sold the country out to invading colonial forces for sugar, parroting age-old colonial myths that have been repudiated by recorded history.

Manase’s comments were deemed to have perpetuated a harmful stereotype about King Lobengula. This stereotype blames him for signing the Rudd Concession, which ultimately led to Zimbabwe’s colonisation.

A local media house recently caused outrage by merging an image of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu with King Lobengula, both holding a packet of sugar.

In the conversation between the two, Magada appeared to be trying to restrain Magada from going overboard with her comments.

“Ah vakajairira apa [They were disdainful here]. I think Lobengula ndiye akatanga [is the one who started this], pakuzoda shuga apa [he craved sugar], like…” said Manase during the exchange: “I don’t think it was Lobs’ fault, that wasn’t the man’s fault. It wasn’t hahaha.”

Despite the controversy, Newshawks reports that bosses at Pockets Hill are now scheming to bring Magada, which has raised eyebrows as some at the station are reluctant to work with her again.

ZBC Head of News and Current Affairs Albert Chekayi is said to be the one advocating for the return of the two, which has raised further suspicions as Chekayi has been accused of improper sexual liaisons with colleagues in the past.

Former ZBC Director Radio Services, Robson Mhandu was ousted from his position at the Corporation following allegations of sexual harassment by Magada.

According to a ZBC press release last month, Mhandu’s contract lapsed by operation of law on 29 February 2024 after being suspended, and the contract was not renewed thereafter. Consequently, he ceased to be an employee of the national broadcaster.