Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE Farmers’ Union (ZFU) president, Retired Major Abdul Credit Nyathi, who died in Gwanda last Friday, has been described as a dedicated and productive cadre whose passion to transform the agriculture sector inspired many to work hard towards improving national food security.
Rtd Major Nyathi, who was also vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Land Commission, died at his farm in Gwanda on
Friday night. He was 71.
His son, Mr Amkelwe Nyathi, said despite hectic schedules, his father always made time for his family and that his departure was a huge blow to them.
“My father loved his work and his country and he was passionate about his duties. He took every duty assigned seriously and performed his best. Most important of all, he loved his family,” he said.
“He used to constantly check on us and always had wise words to share. He was our mentor and we learnt a lot from him. My father always emphasised that we shouldn’t forget our roots. He has left a huge gap that will be hard to fill.”
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, visited the home of the late Rtd Major Nyathi’s on Sunday to console the family. She said the late Rtd Major Nyathi played a crucial role in addressing land dispute issues in the province.
“The passing on of Cde Nyathi came as a shock to us as a province. This is a great loss not only to the province, but the whole nation,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“Cde Nyathi was very instrumental in addressing land issues in the province and he did his work with so much diligence.”
Matabeleland South war veterans, the Gwanda Zanu-PF leadership and farmers across the board have said the brilliant works of the late Rtd Major deserve a national hero recognition.
Zanu-PF Gwanda District Co-ordinating Committee chairman, Cde David Linda, said Rtd Major Nyathi played a crucial role during the liberation struggle where he ensured that guerillas in Zambia had food supplies. He said the late former freedom fighter also played a role in promoting the development of the party after independence.
“In 1976, Cde Nyathi went to Zambia through Botswana to join the liberation struggle. We were together during the training and later he was deployed to a farm in Zambia where food for freedom fighters was grown as a chief advisor,” said Cde Linda.
“He played a crucial role in ensuring that the farm was highly productive so that freedom fighters had food.
“Cde Nyathi joined the party structures in 1995 at district level and there he played a huge role in building the party. In 2010 he rose to provincial level.
“During this period, he also played a crucial role in the agricultural sector, which was his area of expertise.”
Matabeleland South War Veterans chairman, Cde Section Ncube, said they recommend that the late Rtd Major Nyathi be accorded national hero status in honour of his rich legacy before and after independence.
Mr Lehlohonolo Mokoena, vice chairperson of the West Nicholson Livestock Management Commitment, said Rtd Major Nyathi remained humble despite occupying influential positions.
“I learnt a lot as a farmer through interacting with Cde Nyathi. His advice always improved my production. Cde Nyathi always emphasised that we had to be productive on our land,” he said.
“He played a crucial role in fairly deliberating over land issues in Matabeleland region and most of these disputes affecting us as farmers. He was professional and didn’t show any favour.
“He used to conduct thorough investigations in order to resolve land disputes.”
Upon retirement from the army in the late 1980s, Rtd Major Nyathi joined the ZFU as a livestock farmer in Gungwe village, Gwanda. He rose through the ranks to become the provincial livestock commodity chairperson in 1990.
He served diligently in that position until 1995 when he assumed the position of national livestock chairperson.
In 1999, he was elected ZFU second vice president responsible for the livestock portfolio.
In 2005, he then rose to become ZFU first vice president responsible for administration.
Upon the late Silas Hungwe’s retirement from ZFU in 2014, he was elected ZFU president, a position he held until his untimely death on Friday.
Rtd Major Nyathi also represented farmers in various boards and platforms.
He served on boards of the Cold Storage Commission (CSC), Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, Land Board, Green Fuel Chisumbanje and the Zimbabwe Land Commission.
Rtd Major Nyathi is survived by two wives Thembeni and Sukoluhle, eight children and 12 grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at Plot Number 1 Rail Block in West Nicholson and at his house in Malindela, Bulawayo. — @DubeMatutu
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