The family of cultural icon and historian Pathisa Nyathi has shared details of his health struggles in his final days, revealing that he battled multiple organ complications before his passing.
This was disclosed during his funeral service, held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre on Wednesday before his burial at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
Nyathi’s funeral drew a diverse crowd, including Members of Parliament, Matabeleland chiefs, Bulawayo’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, the Mayor, councillors, artists, and other notable dignitaries who gathered to pay their respects.
Speaking during the service, Nyathi’s daughter, Skhanyisile, recounted her father’s decline in health. She noted that he had been unwell since August 24, 2024, following a heart attack and ongoing symptoms.
“He had been unwell since August 24. I called him one Saturday morning to check on his medication, and he told me he’d run out of insulin and was experiencing chest pain and breathlessness,” she shared. “I sensed his condition was serious, so I rushed over, picked him up, and took him to a general practitioner who eventually confirmed he had suffered a heart attack.”
“That marked the beginning of a journey that led to his passing,” she said.
Nyathi explained that her father, a long-time diabetic and hypertensive patient, experienced further complications during his hospital stay
‘He had been a diabetic patient, hypertensive, and he seemed to recover and cope but we did discover during that time when he was hospitalised and tests were being done that his kidneys had suffered damage and he had also suffered a prostate enlargement at the same time, so these were now the diseases that he was now struggling with and he was in hospital until the 16th of September,” she said.
After his release, Nyathi appeared to improve, and the family held hope for his recovery. “He stayed with me for a while, and we thought he was getting better. Many people called, and I reassured them he was improving, which was true for a time,” Skhanyisile shared.
On October 5, however, Nyathi’s condition worsened. “We rushed to Mater Dei Hospital, and that day was very challenging as I was his only child nearby. I’m grateful to (Reverend Paul) Damasani, who stayed by my side as my father’s health rapidly declined. I saw signs I’d only heard about, and I knew it was serious,” she recounted.
She expressed gratitude to the Mater Dei staff, particularly Sister Takawira, for their vigilant care. When Nyathi was discharged a second time, he was unable to walk and required a wheelchair.
“We are grateful also to Silethemba Home and Health Center who afforded us a very caring nurse aide, Dennis Ndlovu, this young man when he first came to the house I thought how can they send such a young boy to look after my father, but I was so amazed at the way he was so caring. He looked after my father so well that I had no problems, he never smelled, he was always clean and he was patient, making sure he was fed and everything was taken care of, we are very grateful to the young man and we wish him well where he goes in life,” said Nyathi.
Reflecting on her last moments with him, she shared, “On the final Friday, I was called from work and told his condition was worsening. That evening, I went to the hospital, where he was in pain but held my hand when I spoke to him. At around 10 p.m., he grew quiet, and shortly after, the doctors informed me, ‘We have lost your father.’”
Nyathi’s passing is a profound loss for Zimbabwe’s cultural community. His legacy as a historian and cultural custodian will continue to be celebrated across the nation.
