By Fidelis Manyange

MATABELELAND is poorer without its two giants in the cast of Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu, a revolutionary, accomplished writer, historian and a leader par excellence as well as Pathisa Nyathi, a repository of history, renowned novelist, cultural practitioner, publisher and founder of Amagugu International Heritage Centre in Bulawayo. Born on September 23 1934, Ndlovu passed away on July 16 2021 after battling a long illness. In more ways than one, Ndlovu was a prolifi c writer who chose journalism not because it paid well, but because he loved writing as well as seeing his work published and widely read. Ndlovu was no doubt among Zimbabwe’s most-sought-after historians in the post-liberation war years. He was a seasoned historian, politician and anthropologist who wrote many books and opinion pieces, among other publications, for which he received little or no fi nancial compensation. Before venturing into journalism, Ndlovu was a research worker in social anthropology among the Kalanga people in the Mangwe District. The Bakalanga people were proud to call him ‘Dula leluzibo gwebaKalanga nendudzi dzose dzeZimbabwe’ (A repository of knowledge about Kalanga culture and all the tribes of Zimbabwe).

The late historian also served as the ZAPU representative in several African and European countries. He was also an ardent promoter of his Kalanga cultural heritage. The writer recalls a meeting with Ndlovu during a visit to Matabeleland for a story of the Bakalanga people some fi ve years ago. Welcoming the Patriot news crew at a local hotel, he beamed: “Akuna thaka iyo inotongobhuzwa nekwetjiKalanga (There is no young man of your age who is keen on this language),” his eyes curious and glowing with excitement. He eff ortlessly narrated the history of Bakalanga people and the Great Zimbabwe-like monuments in Plumtree, namely Mataletale and Luswingo. He also laid bare the pivotal role heroes like Chilisamhulu and Chibundule, among others, played during the First Chimurenga. It is only now that this writer is beginning to realise that Zimbabwe has lost a walking encylopaedia.

True to Bakalanga hospitality, Ndlovu would not allow us to leave without visiting his home at No. 16 Jungle Road, Trenance, where his wife off ered each of us a pocket of onions to take back home. Ndlovu and his fellow historian, Pathisa Nyathi, were the co-authors of ‘Zimbabwe, Important Aspects of its Modern History —1888 to 1979’. In his graveside eulogy, Nyathi said: “Death has robbed Zimbabwe of one of the last founts of knowledge on the early days of the liberation struggle.” In the 1970s, Ndlovu worked as editor of the ZAPU periodical published by the Information and Publicity Department which was headed by the late liberation hero, Tarcisius George Silundika. A man, who loved speaking in his native language, Tjikalanga, Ndlovu worked alongside Edward Ndlovu, Samuel Munodawafa, Frank Mbengo, Aaron Jirira and Jane Ngwenya, among many others who made up the team that helped transform ZAPU and ZIPRA into the formidable liberation movement that it became.

The ZAPU leader, Dr Joshua Nkomo, frequently asked Ndlovu to lead an advance team ahead of political negotiations on what was then known as the ‘Rhodesia Question’. His fi rst and most noticeable publication was a book titled Zimbabwe in Struggle, a collection of photographs and stories that captured the various stages of the armed struggle which he compiled in collaboration with a colleague, photographer Zenzo Nkobi.

At the time of his death, who Ndlovu was a regular contributor to The Patriot, was putting the final touches to his latest book ‘The History of Zimbabwe’s Liberation Struggle’, which is expected to be published posthumously. Ndlovu, who joined the Chronicle as a senior editorial staff member and later became features and supplement editor for both the Chronicle and Sunday News, will be remembered as one of the greatest journalists of our time. Sunday News news editor Vincent Gono described Nyathi as a cultural historian who brought African spirituality to life. “He was not only a writer but also a passionate advocate for African spirituality. He believed that understanding and embracing one’s cultural identity was integral to personal and communal well-being,” said Gono.

Then Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa lamented: “We are losing trailblazers in the media. Journalists like Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu really stood by their majority in reporting in a positive manner, bringing people together and hope to our people.” Fellow historian and writer, Pathisa Nyathi, passed on last month, leaving a void which will be diffi cult to fi ll in Matabeleland. Through his workshops, lectures and community engagements, the late Nyathi educated countless individuals on the signifi cance of spiritual practices derived from African traditions. He emphasised the power of ritual, song and storytelling as vital means of preserving cultural heritage. He is on record as saying that spirituality exists in the African context, adding that what people call prophets today, because of colonisation, are ancestral spirits foretelling the future. He repeatedly supported this claim by recalling an incident in which an elderly Kezi man told him that the person who came Nyathi, who died at the age of 73, sat for his ‘A’-Level examinations at Mzilikazi Secondary School. He later trained as a secondary school teacher at Gweru Teachers’ College, majoring in science, from 1971, obtaining his certifi cate in education in 1973.

In 1982, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Zimbabwe followed by a BA (Honours) degree in 1985. His undying passion for Zimbabwean arts and culture was also evident in the numerous positions he held in the arts and other cultural bodies. These included secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Writers’ Union (1989-1990); chairman of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH), Matabeleland North (1990-1995); as well as deputy director of Mthwakazi Actors’ and Writers’ Association (MAWA); chairman of the Zimbabwe Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association (ZANA, Bulawayo Branch); chairman of the Zimbabwe Writers’ Union (Bulawayo Branch); chairman of the Mpopoma High School Development Association; committee member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee of Zimbabwe (2009). Among his accolades is the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 National Arts Merits Awards (NAMA). Like his compatriot Gwakuba, Nyathi was also a passionate newspaper columnist for various publications. The signature tune ‘Mbo-mbo-mbombo (We are Growing’) by South African diva Margaret Singana punctuated the local television drama series Kukhulwa Kokuphela in the 1990s in which Nyathi featured. To these two cultural icons we say: “You fought a good fi ght! “You ran your race! “May your souls rest in eternal peace!”