Phathisa Nyathi

Writer/Historian

Born in Kezi, Matobo district in Matabeleland South in 1951, Nyathi’s writing career began in 1988 with the publication of Ngilecala a short story published by the Literature Bureau which was followed in 1990 by the play Kunzima Malokazana and Vulingqondo a Zimbabwe Junior Certificate (ZJC) Ndebele revision book.

Igugu Lika Mthwakazi a history of the Ndebele from 1820 -1893 was published in 1994 with its sequel Madoda Lolani Incukuthu following in 1996 covering the 1896 Ndebele resistance to colonialism. Its sequel was Uchuku Olungelandiswe published in 1999 c dealing with Ndebele history during the colonial period.

The veteran writer has produced most of his works in IsiNdebele with a view that it enables constant development of the language to achieve a rich cultural heritage for future generations. His publications Material Culture of AmaNdebele (2000) and The Traditional Ceremonies of AmaNdebele (2003) have been Nyathi’s contribution to the preservation of Ndebele art and Culture with his publications.

Nyathi’s passion for Zimbabwean arts and culture have seen him take up various responsibilities in arts and other organisations. These include Secretary-General, Zimbabwe Writers Union (1989-19990, Deputy Director, Mthwakazi Actors and Writers Association (MAWA) Chairman of the Bulawayo Branches of the Zimbabwe Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association (ZANA) and the Zimbabwe Writers Union (ZWU); Committee Member, Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee of Zimbabwe (2009).

He has also sat on the boards of various Arts related institutions including the Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF 1989-1998), the Zimbabwe Book Development Council (ZBDC), Mambo Press Editorial Advisory Board, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) and Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo

In 2018 Nyathi was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) for his contribution to the Cultural and Creative Sector in Zimbabwe. He has championed local storytelling and cultural presentations.

He has sought to document the history of prominent Zimbabweans from Matabeleland whose different contributions to the history and development of Zimbabwe had remained largely untold. In 1998 he published In Search of Freedom: Masotsha Ndlovu a biography of one of the country’s national heroes. He followed this with Alvord Mabhena: The Man and His Roots (2000) chronicling the life of the former long-serving General Manager of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

In 2020 he completed a biography on Rebecca Mabhena nee Dlodlo, the widow of prominent nationalist and national hero Welshman Mabhena. He also published a moving account on the life of Stanford Sithole aka Dumisani Tembo/ Dakamela, a Zipra guerrilla and another on the life of Dauti Salatiel Mabusa, a captivating story of a prominent businessman and farmer who was detained and imprisoned multiple times during the liberation struggle

In 2010 Nyathi founded Amagugu International Heritage Centre (AIHC) in Bulawayo to promote the documentation, preservation and promotion of indigenous cultural heritage.

The centre provides a venue and organises a variety of cultural, educational and recreational programmes for the public to learn and appreciate different facets of indigenous heritage, history and cultural context. The centre is a culmination of a lifetime of work in research, preservation and promoting Zimbabwean Art and Cultural practices.

In a writing career spanning over 30 years, Nyathi has become the leading voice in the preservation of Zimbabwean Arts and culture.

His thrust on Ndebele history, cultural practices and biographies of prominent personalities makes him a legend His work transcends cultural boundaries and seeks to create a reservoir of knowledge for future generations on the origins of the state and its leading practices and traditional figures.— NACZ.