AMAGUGU International Heritage, situated in the Matobo Hills cultural landscape in Matabeleland South province, continues to shine despite the departure of its founder Phathisa Nyathi.
The centre was established in 2010 and is the brainchild of the late world-acclaimed historian, renowned novelist and cultural practitioner Nyathi.
It has become a tourist attraction, where researchers from around the world throng the place to learn and get inspired.
Nyathi’s son Butholezwe told Southern Eye that there is a system in place running the centre.
“The centre is running as normal, there is a management that is running the centre. You can talk to them so that they can reveal more to that,” Butholezwe said.
Amagugu International Heritage programmes manager Allington Ndlovu said there were a lot of activities taking place.
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“As I speak, there are schools that are visiting the centre. A lot of functions are taking place. We are busy doing renovations to some of the infrastructure,” he said.
Matobo Rural District Council chief executive officer Alvis Sibanda said the centre had unified communities.
“The centre plays a pivotal role in preserving our culture, teaching the community how to decorate their homes using traditional means. (Staff from the centre) even visit homes to teach them how to do it,” Sibanda said.
“Even doing sculpting. It has assisted us in that schoolchildren go there to gain practical experience rather than learning theory only. The late Nyathi left a legacy which we hope will continue to the next generation.”
The centre has provided the community in Matobo with means to express themselves through their cultural heritage and interaction with the environment.