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Trust Khosa

GLOWING tributes are pouring in for decorated historian, filmmaker and writer, Pathisa Nyathi, who died on Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after a long illness.

He was 73.

Nyathi, who was a widower at the time of his death, is survived by three children.

Burial arrangements will be advised.

Family spokesperson, Reverend Paul Damasane, described Nyathi as a cultural icon, unifier and an intelligent man.

“We lost him on Saturday at Mater Dei Hospital where he has always been in and out of hospital. “His wife died earlier and he had been complaining of hypertension and stuff.

“As a family, we have lost a pillar who was not only popular in Matabeleland but across the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, several Government officials, writers and academics described the death of Nyathi as a big loss to the arts fraternity.

Leading the tributes was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nicholas Moyo, who hailed Nyathi as a creative genius to be cherished for years.

“A library has been completely burnt down, a calabash that has been in the hands of the national safeguards of international cultural heritage has just slipped off and a broken calabash whose pieces cannot be put together.

“It is sad, devastating to lose a man of Pathisa’s stature,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said he first met Pathisa 41 years ago and learnt a lot from him.

“On a very personal note, I knew Pathisa from 1983 that is exactly 41 years ago when he came into a group I belonged to and he was talking about script-writing and I was in Form Three then and the rest is history.

“I then started working with Pathisa from that early age until now, 41 years later when Pathisa is no more. He was a playwright, film-maker, an actor par excellence; many would remember his face and boldness in the articulation of issues, a historian par excellence.”

Moyo also hailed Nyathi as a hard worker.

“He is a person who has probably done more biographies than any other writer. The man was very thorough. He gave us the genesis and origin of Great Zimbabwe and the patterns, the meaning of Great Zimbabwe, he was a repository of knowledge.

“Everybody is saying the library is gone. He had such an influence that everyone he spoke to, would remember him. As a Ministry, we have lost an arts practitioner of intangible cultural heritage, a living heritage was the life that Pathisa was,” he said.

Moyo said Nyathi’s creation of Amagugu International Heritage Centre in Bulawayo was also a testament to his determination to immortalise the Ndebele culture and he did that across the region

“He was a legend; we have lost an icon. As we mourn together with the Nyathi family, the arts fraternity has lost a big man

“The writers have been writing in different groups about his good work.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ)communications and marketing manager, Agga Nyabinde.

“Pathisa Nyathi played a pivotal role in our local arts and culture landscape.

“He was a historian and a prolific writer. He was a selfless man who imparted his knowledge to other artists.

“He was a board member for NACZ from the year 1999-2001. The sector has been robbed of a fountain of wisdom and we will forever cherish him. He was honoured by NAMA awards as one of the legends in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Former NACZ director, Elvas Mari, described Nyathi’s death as a huge loss to the arts landscape.

“In my Shona language, we say ‘Gomo rawa!’. Pathisa Nyathi was not only a moving encyclopaedia of African philosophy, but a mentor to many people. I was privileged to learn under his feet for a full month in 2009 when we went together to the second Pan African Arts Festival in Algeria.

“I hope Zimbabwe realises what she has lost in the passing on of this former student of Mazowe High. The heavens have gained immeasurably. My sincere condolences to his family, the global creatives and Zimbabwe,” Mari said.

Fellow writer, poet and researcher, Chirikure Chirikure described Nyathi as a literary colossus who was committed to his work.

“We have lost a moving library who was committed to his work. He loved his job and as writers, we are going to do something to honour him. “Young writers have a lot to learn from him. He was there when his expertise was needed during our programmes,” he said.

Blogger and content creator, Plot Mhako, was at a loss for words after learning about Nyathi’s death.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Pathisa Nyathi, a historian and true custodian of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage. At 73, Mr Nyathi leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations, built through his lifelong commitment to documenting and sharing our nation’s rich history.

“His vast knowledge and unwavering dedication have inspired countless individuals and enriched our collective narrative. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those touched by his profound wisdom. May his work continue to guide and inspire us,” Mhako said in his appreciation post.

Gilmore Khawe Khumalo, a curator who was inspired by Pathisa’s work shared his grief on his X handle.

“Baba Nyathi….Am forever grateful for having you in my corner. You were always selfless, firstly with yourself, wisdom, knowledge, and any opportunity to impact. Thank you for being such an ocean of wisdom, a father, a friend and an advisor. You gave us yourself, you gave us everything, thank you!” posted                                  Khumalo.

With over 80 books and many journals to his credit, he will forever be remembered as a literary arts guru.

He was born in Kezi, Matabeleland South in 1951.

He also created the Amagugu International Heritage Centre in Bulawayo.

Nyathi contributed a lot of columns for several publications including The Sunday Mail, Sunday News, Sunday Mirror (View from Bulawayo) and The Daily Mirror (Giya Mthwakazi).

He was also a traditional or cultural preservationist.