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Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Reporter
After spending most of his childhood reading books and citing poems by the renowned poet and culturalist Pathisa Nyathi, Mntungwa kaMbulazi (real name Kwanele Khumalo) says he wants to follow the historian’s footsteps.

For him, poetry is not just art, but a means of reviving and promoting cultural beliefs and norms that are slowly fading away.
Hailing from the streets of Selbourne Park in Bulawayo, the youngster who will be celebrating his 24th birthday this coming Friday, is determined to be the Pathisa Nyathi of his generation.

He described Nyathi as an encyclopedia storing information that one man has no capacity to carry.

“My inspiration comes from the man who has penned more than 50 books and thousands of articles in his lifetime. A man with endless knowledge and passion for culture. That man is none other than the much-celebrated, Pathisa Nyathi.

“The cultural advocate has inspired me with his uncompromising passion to write the history and culture of our country, in particular the Ndebele culture and customs. I’ve realised it’s a road less travelled because most of the poets today focus on corruption, politics and other issues. They do not pay attention to the values of our culture and to our languages,” Mntungwa kaMbulazi said.

He said for him, poetry is more than art but a calling and way of communicating with the people. Mntungwa kaMbulazi says throughout his childhood he has been reading books and citing poems written by Nyathi which has armed with cultural knowledge.

“I was inspired and that’s where my love for culture is derived from. I then asked myself what could hinder me to be the Pathisa of our generation,” he said.

Mntungwa kaMbulazi has since penned 48 poems in his book “Who killed Grandfather” and pledged that more are still to come.

“The book has 48 poems that were published this year by Onai Stanley Mushava with Underclass books and Films. I’ve decided to start the journey with poetry, articulating the loss of our culture.

“The poem Who killed Grandfather? talks about how grandfather died and was buried with his wisdom, knowledge and customs — exactly how our culture is slowly dying. The people who have knowledge about it die together with the knowledge instead of passing it to the next generation,” he said.

Mntungwa kaMbulazi is a second-year Journalism and Media studies student at the National University of Science and Technology. He grew up in Plumtree and attended Tshankwa Primary School, Sikhathini High and Thekwane High.

He is also a member of the “Gourd of Consciousness” team which seeks to improve and conserve poetry. The team consists of most published authors and scholars of poetry.

“My vision is to see a society full of poets because to me, no reasoning can supersede poetry. It’s my wish for the younger generation to embrace the cultures and norms of our forefathers. On this journey, I was encouraged by my mentor Onai Mushava and Mthulisi Ndlovu, a friend of mine.”

Mntungwa kaMbulazi said his wish is to get mentorship from Nyathi. – @SeehYvonne