ZBC must stop marginalising Ndebele

THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation is now the chief architect of tribalism and regionalism, through the airwaves.

All its stations have now been turned into de facto Shona and English channels just to marginalise Ndebele as the third largest language. And the presenters, should I say the staffers, do it with arrogance and haughtiness.

Now, one cannot tell whether a particular programme is meant to be in English or Shona: “You know what, hanzi iwe you don’t know anything”.

Programmes that are supposed to be national so as to cater for everybody must be broadcast in English, the language of “record” and communication.

I am talking about topical programmes such as health, in which there are experts to answer and explain technical matters for the public.

Presenters must make it clear to the listeners and the guest speakers from the outset that the programme is strictly in English so that it is national both in content and in policy.

The relevant ministry must make it clear to ZBC management that there must be a consistent policy at the national broadcaster, nation-building and unity enhancement, otherwise the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission stands for nothing.

We know that successive colonial governments were racist to the marrow and yet we know too that they had a coherent policy of meeting the expectations and needs of both races and tribes practically in everything across the board in their respective domains.

And yet what we have been seeing and hearing from ZBC is explicit tribalism and those in power condone it by being silent.

In fact, ZBC is merely an extension of the State, that is to say government, and that is to say the Zanu PF party.

The affected party, the Ndebeles, are quiet about their marginalisation through a State institution.

The opposition is saying nothing about the matter and yet from MDC to MDC-T (of the late Morgan Tsvangirai) to Citizens Coalition for Change, the Ndebeles are their bastion of unflinching support.

What they want is Thokozani Khupe’s support to enhance the popularity they already enjoy. I am not against that, pardon me please.

If racism was an evil to trigger a war of international proportions, so should tribalism to trigger national debate.

ZBC can stop its divisive and insulting conduct yesterday; the opposition can rethink its politics in respect of the Ndebeles. What has been happening in the past is still happening and will continue.

For the Ndebeles, nothing comes on a silver platter. Now they want Khupe’s constituent support after tossing her back and forth and after rendering her politically moribund. She is now at their mercy.

Martin Stobart