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Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]

The late, revered author, educationist and historian, Pathisa Nyathi, was a stalwart in Zimbabwean culture, dedicated to preserving and educating the nation on matters of heritage, language and tradition.

Through his prolific writing, Nyathi became a widely recognised cultural authority, producing numerous books and articles that solidified his status as a custodian of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.

His contributions earned him several accolades, most notably the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Britain-Zimbabwe Society (BZS), which honoured his unwavering commitment to the arts and culture sector.

Born in 1951 in Kezi, Matabeleland South, Nyathi devoted his life to promoting cultural knowledge. He passed away on Saturday, November 2 at the age of 73, following complications from a recurring medical condition. He is survived by three children: Butholezwe Kgosi, Fikile and Sikhanyisile. He will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery today in Bulawayo.

Nyathi’s enduring legacy lives on through his prolific body of work, which will continue to educate and inspire Zimbabweans about the importance of cultural identity, heritage and language.

He was instrumental in the founding of the Mthwakazi Writers and Actors Association, alongside Felix Moyo and Mthandazo Ndema Ngwenya. After training as a science teacher in 1970, he shifted his focus to writing and cultural preservation, eventually authoring over 50 books and contributing a regular newspaper column in the Sunday News on the history of Ndebele customs and traditions.

The late Phathisa Nyathi

His literature primarily focused on Ndebele culture and broader Zimbabwean traditions, social economy and history, with much of his work written in isiNdebele. Nyathi’s journey into the arts began in his school years at Mazowe High School, where, as a Form Three pupil, he wrote the play No God in the Cave.

This early work sparked a lifelong passion for writing, which he continued to nurture as a lecturer at Gweru Teachers’ College, where he produced numerous poems and plays.

His literary contributions are celebrated in works such as Alvord Mabhena – The Man and His Roots, Izibongo Lezangelo zamaNdebele kaMzilikazi and Igugu LikaMthwakazi.

Nyathi’s talents extended beyond writing; he also had a gift for translation. He translated a book by Czech Republic poet Jaroslav Seifert into Ndebele, while Tau Nyati translated the same book into Shona. In 1981, Nyathi won first prize from the Literature Bureau for his short story Ngilecala.

His dedication to preserving Ndebele heritage continued with the 1994 launch of Igugu likaMthwakazi: Imbali YamaNdebele, a book that delves into the history of the Ndebele people. His diverse body of work includes Call of the Caves, Now the Poets Speak, Giya Mthwakazi, and the Ndebele play Kunzima Malokazana.

Nyathi also contributed to educational literature with Vulingqondo, a textbook for high school pupils and Inyathelo Six, a Ndebele language book for Grade Six learners.

In 1999, Nyathi authored Madoda Lolani Incukuthu, a powerful work that highlights the courageous efforts of the Ndebele people to resist colonial forces that had inflicted suffering and upheaval on their communities.

In 1998, as a multi-talented artist and historian, Nyathi contributed to the series In Search of Freedom, which featured biographies of Zimbabwe’s national heroes. His work on the biography of Cde Masotsha Ndlovu was particularly significant, aiming to preserve history and raise awareness of the contributions of these fallen heroes.

Through this series, Nyathi sought to honour Zimbabwe’s liberation legacy, ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices and significance of those who fought for freedom.

In 2000, Nyathi launched Izibongo le Zangelo zamaNdebele kaMzilikazi, published in South Africa. This book explores the clans and praise names of the Ndebele people, including notable surnames such as Khumalo, Dlodlo, Fuyane, Magonya and Nyathi.

Nyathi’s hope was that this work would strengthen cultural ties between Zimbabweans and South Africans by celebrating shared heritage. Reverend Paul Damasane contributed an academic piece to the book, examining the poetic qualities of praise names, which added depth to this cultural tribute.

In 2001, Nyathi translated Children’s Tales from the Czech Republic into Ndebele, titled Ziyajuluka Indatshana Zabasakhulayo Eziphuma KweleTsheki. This anthology introduced young readers to Czech culture while serving as a preparatory reading book, providing insights into Czech life and traditions.

Nyathi continued to expand his cultural contributions with subsequent works such as Traditional Ceremonies, Changing Material Culture of the AmaNdebele and Zimbabwe’s Cultural Heritage.

Nyathi served as a public relations officer at Bulawayo City Council from October 2005 until he resigned from the local authority in July 2008.

In June 2010, the Czech Ambassador to Zimbabwe presented Kolobeja, a compilation of Ndebele folktales by Pathisa Nyathi, to the Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture. This book was crafted with the aim of preserving traditional Ndebele folklore.

In December 2010, Nyathi presented the nation with a Christmas gift by launching Lozikeyi Dlodlo: Queen of the Ndebele, co-authored with Marieke Faber Clarke. This book offers a unique perspective on the Ndebele state, reconstructing the life and legacy of Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo. Through engaging and insightful historical analysis, Nyathi and Clarke brought to light the influential role of the Ndebele queen, enriching Zimbabwe’s understanding of its own royal heritage and cultural narrative.

From 2011 until his passing, Nyathi continued to enrich Zimbabwean literature with a diverse array of works that explored various cultural aspects. His prolific output included biographies such as those of Reverend Geoffrey Bizeni Mkwananzi of the Assemblies of God and Nicholas Macala Dube, a ZPRA cadre. He also authored Our Food, Our Heritage, Our Future, Ndebele Chieftainship: History and Succession Rule and Mpilo Central Hospital @ 60: Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.

Additionally, Nyathi wrote Journey to koBulawayo: Interpreting King Lobengula’s Town, Covid-19 Impact on African Culture and Journey to the Stars, among other works. Through these publications, he continued to document and celebrate Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and history, leaving behind an invaluable legacy.

In 2021, Nyathi celebrated his 70th birthday by penning his autobiography, Pathisa Nyathi at Seventy: A Life Dedicated to Arts, Culture and Heritage. Eight months prior, he authored Battle of Pupu and Beyond, which details the strategic brilliance of Ndebele warriors under General Mtshane Khumalo during the 1893 Pupu Battle.

Nyathi was not only a prolific writer but also a dedicated mentor to aspiring young authors, providing guidance and support for their manuscripts. He exemplified his belief, expressed during a 2007 interview, that “the day he would put down the pen is when he dies.”