Matebeleland leaders fail to push for proper Pathisa Nyathi honour

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced only a State-assisted funeral for revered historian and author Pathisa Nyathi, who passed away on Saturday. The man deserved an honourary doctorate and a national hero status.

In a tribute, Mnangagwa urged historians to build on Nyathi's legacy to ensure Zimbabwe's history and heritage continue to be accurately documented and preserved.

"Apart from marking the sad departure of a community leader, we also mourn the passing on of a man of the arts who contributed significantly to performing arts, including film, in ways that transformed Bulawayo into the national capital of the arts," said Mnangagwa. He encouraged Zimbabwe's creative community to honor Nyathi's memory with more productions, noting that "his creative spirit will rest and repose repaid."

President Mnangagwa extended his condolences to Nyathi's family, acknowledging the recent loss of his wife and the enduring legacy Nyathi leaves behind.

"On behalf of our party Zanu-PF, government, my family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Nyathi family, especially to the late departed's children who now stand doubly orphaned."

Mnangagwa revealed that earlier this year, he had tasked Nyathi with documenting the historic Pupu Battle of National Resistance against British colonial encroachment, as well as the final journey of King Lobengula after the fall of the Ndebele Kingdom in 1893. Nyathi's work, which included travels to Zambia, resulted in a vivid account of this chapter in Zimbabwe's history, which the President described as a testament to Nyathi's dedication to restoring national pride and challenging colonial narratives.

Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, described Nyathi as a gifted narrator of Zimbabwe's rich history. "It is a loss to both the family and the nation," Ncube said, acknowledging that the province awaited further guidance on arrangements.

Many have hailed Nyathi as an icon of Zimbabwean history and culture, with some describing him as a "fountain of wisdom." Citizens Coalition for Change leader Welshman Ncube praised Nyathi's dedication, stating that his work inspired many and deepened Zimbabweans' understanding of their culture and social history. Ncube added that Nyathi's poetry served as a voice of resilience and hope for countless individuals.

Nyathi was 73 at the time of his passing. His legacy endures through his extensive work in preserving Zimbabwe's cultural heritage, inspiring generations to take pride in their nation's history.