Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Last year, Zimbabwe mourned the loss of one of its most esteemed cultural icons, Pathisa Nyathi, a prolific poet, playwright, historian, biographer, and founder of Amagugu International Heritage Centre (AIHC).
His death left an irreplaceable void in the nation’s cultural and intellectual landscape. Yet, at the recently held Amagugu Food and Beverage Festival, the first edition since his death, Nyathi’s indelible spirit echoed powerfully through the voices and actions of those he mentored, most notably Allington Ndlovu, now director of AIHC.
Nyathi was not just a scholar; he was a generational bridge, an encyclopaedic mind dedicated to preserving Zimbabwe’s indigenous knowledge systems and ensuring their transfer to future custodians. His mentorship extended to a select group of passionate youths, among them Arnold Mayibongwe Nkala, Sikhanyiso Khumalo, and Ndlovu, who has grown from an eager student to the helm of one of Zimbabwe’s most impactful cultural institutions.
Speaking to this publication, Ndlovu recounted how a chance referral in 2015 while studying History and International Relations at Midlands State University altered the course of his life.
“I went to many places looking for internship placement. Then one guy from the Ministry of Youth, Lovious Khumalo, said, ‘Go and talk to Pathisa,’ and that’s how we got to know each other,” he shared.
That introduction sparked a decade-long mentorship that profoundly shaped Ndlovu’s professional journey and his understanding of heritage preservation.
As the founding visionary of AIHC, Nyathi transformed the Centre into a dynamic platform where cultural preservation, education, and community engagement thrived. Ndlovu admits his death was a huge loss.
“His death was, and is, a heavy blow on us as the remaining patrons and custodians of the legacy he left us,” Ndlovu said.
Nyathi’s strength was not only in vision but in connection, he built bridges with Government ministries and various stakeholders, always championing the African worldview. The recently held Amagugu Food and Beverage Festival, although successful, bore a noticeable absence.
“I could feel the void of his welcoming remarks that he used to render over the years. He’d always say, ‘Since it’s a food festival, let’s eat more and talk less.’”
This year, honouring Nyathi’s longstanding suggestion, the festival invited schoolchildren, encouraging the intergenerational transmission of culture. For Nyathi, food was never just sustenance; it was identity.
“Ukudla kuyakutshela, awudingi kubuzwa ukuthi bakholelwa kukuphi,” he would say. “Food expresses the culture of a people”.
AIHC, under Nyathi’s stewardship, became known for more than festivals. The Matobo Heritage Festival, the My Beautiful Home hut-painting competition, and countless exhibitions drew local and international attention to Zimbabwean customs and aesthetics. Through these, Nyathi demystified cultural heritage, making it a living, breathing part of community life.
A passionate reader himself, Nyathi’s academic discipline shaped Ndlovu’s own trajectory.
“He used to say, ‘Read, Allington, because you will never be a proper cultural heritage practitioner without reading,’” Ndlovu recalled.
“The moment you start seeing the contribution of your forefathers as demonic, barbaric, and backward, then you are just a moving zombie,” Nyathi would often caution.
Before his death, Nyathi envisioned a grand transformation of AIHC, including artistic renovations such as murals celebrating Ndebele history. Today, one of those murals proudly bears his image, immortalising his influence. He aspired to make AIHC a Pan-African centre, inclusive of all African identities and histories.
Ndlovu now shoulders the responsibility of realising this dream. He is actively engaging donors, overseeing cultural documentation such as Rock Art, and working to preserve AIHC’s Unesco-accredited status, secured in 2018.
“We are documenting Rock Art now, and I’m working on retaining our status,” he said.
Despite Nyathi’s physical absence, his ideals remain stitched into AIHC’s foundation. The AIHC team, many of whom were groomed by Nyathi, remain committed to carrying the torch forward.
“We are happy that the team is so versatile, as we were trained by him over the years,” Ndlovu said. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
Londile Moyo