Albert Nyathi in life-saving projects

ALBERT Nyathi is working wonders at Kafusi Village - his rural home - in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.

The renowned poet, musician, writer, actor and philanthropist seldom opens up about his personal life or projects.

Like most artistes, he often prefers talking about his work and national projects like the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), where he is chairperson — and nothing else.

"Do you want to interview me about my new work or the projects we are carrying out at Zimura?" jokingly asked the affable Nyathi in countering our enquiry about his projects in Gwanda.

"I prefer most of the things I do in my personal life to stay private. Talking about them makes it appear like I am after some cheap publicity."

The multi-award-winning artiste has embarked on a project that is expected to positively change the lives of many children in his rural community.

Working with a United Kingdom-based school, Christ's Hospital, they have begun constructing boarding facilities for disadvantaged girls that are travelling long distances to school.
 
The "Senzenina" hitmaker has facilitated agricultural projects to help feed elderly members in the community.

"I have raised US$30 000 from just one school in the United Kingdom called Christ's Hospital. This money is meant to construct a girls' hostel, and this will house about 64 of them.

"We are already working on the foundation and have bought close to 1 000 bags of discounted cement from a local company. The project started last year and we hope to finish it this year," revealed Nyathi.

Kafusi Secondary School learners are currently using what is referred to by locals as a "bush boarding" system, where a classroom is turned into a dormitory at night.

"Some 10 or so years back, I was invited as a guest of honour at the school and I talked to the parents. I asked them if they would be able to provide labour, bricks, river and pit sand, etcetera, should I be able to source funds.

"They all said it was possible. So it has taken me a decade to raise that money, and I have raised it," he said.

"We are building the hostel and as soon as we are done with this project, I am going to build one for the boys. We had to start with the girls because they are vulnerable. They cannot be walking 14 to 15 km to and from school every day."

Agricultural projects have been a success, courtesy of boreholes that he drilled.

Gwanda naturally receives low rains.

"With the help of friends, we installed a solar system and 5 000-litre tanks, which are our source of water. We have fenced-off nearly a hectare and have an orchard with citrus fruits plus vegetable gardens," he said.

Each grandmother or grandfather in Kafusi Village has their own vegetable garden.

The 58-year-old artiste has been instrumental in sourcing equipment for a local clinic.

"I bought stuff for the local clinic; I do not remember most of the things, but it includes a small fridge to store medicines, blood pressure (BP) testing machines, a baby resuscitator with an oxygen tank, sugar strips for sugar testing.

"This is my way to pay back the villagers whose watermelons and sugar I used to steal when I was still a boy," he said with a chuckle.

Nyathi is a seasoned artiste whose passion for the trade started at a tender age.

Some of the countries he has toured include Denmark, Holland, Belgium, United States, England, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Russia, Wales, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Libya,  Algeria and Sweden.