Tinaye Agere
Elita Chikwati
ZIMBABWE FARMERS UNION (ZFU) president Major Abdul Credit Nyathi (Retired) has died.
He was 71.
Rtd Major Nyati, who was also vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Land Commission, passed away Friday night at his farm in Gwanda.
ZFU secretary-general Mr Paul Zakariya confirmed the death, describing it as a huge loss to the union and the agriculture sector.
“The Zimbabwe Famers Union family has learnt of the passing of Rtd Major Nyathi with great shock. A very dark cloud hovers over the entire farming community,” he said.
“The union has been robbed of one of its dedicated and passionate leaders who served and was trained under the tutelage of the likes of the late Gary Magadzire and the late Silas Hungwe.”
Upon retirement from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in the late 80’s, 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 the administration of the organisation.
Upon the late Silas Hungwe’s retirement from ZFU in 2014, he was elected the 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, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, Land Board, Green Fuel Chisumbanje and the Zimbabwe Land Commission.
Burial arrangements will soon in due course.
Online Reporter