BULAWAYO – Celebrated historian Pathisa Nyathi died on Saturday aged 73.
He had been unwell for sometime and was admitted at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on Friday, according to family spokesman Reverend Paul Damasane.
Born in Kezi, Matabeleland South, in 1951, Nyathi was the author of more than 50 books and also published a newspaper column on the history of Ndebele customs and traditions.
Tributes poured in on Saturday.
Former higher education minister Jonathan Moyo said: “Phathisa Nyathi was a fountain of wisdom at its best, an indefatigable champion of indigenous knowledge and enduring African values; an engaging oral historian, visionary storyteller, eminent teacher and a prolific author whose invaluable contribution to the Zimbabwean story will be a tall order to match.”
“Zimbabwe has lost a monumental figure in Pathisa Nyathi, a guardian of our history, a reservoir of wisdom, and a beacon of cultural pride,” former Cowdray Park MP Pashor Sibanda said.
“His legacy is etched into the soul of our nation, guiding us forward.“
A former teacher, Nyathi’s books covered the histories of southern African tribes, their migrations and interelations and biographies of historical figures.
On social media, Zimbabweans paid tribute to Nyathi as a “custodian of Zimbabwean heritage” who distinguished himself with his “tireless efforts to preserve and share Zimbabwe’s rich history.”
“Nyathi was a wealth of knowledge, a custodian of our history and customs. He was always so willing to share his knowledge and teach anyone who would ask. He inspired so many of us to research,” wrote @malaikadiva on X.
