THE late historian Pathisa Nyathi's research played a key role in shaping religious attitudes and behaviour among indigenous churches, the Council of Churches in Africa (CCA) has said.
Nyathi passed away at a private hospital in Bulawayo on Saturday after battling with sugar diabetes and kidney failure.
He was 73.
He was buried at the Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
CCA leader Rocky Moyo said indigenous churches benefited a lot from Nyathi's wealth of wisdom, adding that his scholarly works should be considered a source of research on tolerance and coexistence.
"The late Nyathi has been considered by clergymen as a source of critiquing trends in fellowship, ecumenism and how generations would benefit from interlink between religion and development in Africa," Moyo said.
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“As part of our clergy conferences, we benefited a lot in organising side events where our researchers would attribute the works of Pathisa Nyathi and how it played a pivotal role in shaping religious attitudes, behaviour and narratives throughout indigenous churches."
Moyo said Nyathi’s works will continue to be part of religious texts and discourse analysis.
Nyathi’s prowess in articulating issues using stimulative and satirical language brought relief among the religious divide, Moyo added.
“It therefore remains part of indigenous churches heritage and therefore remains commendable to be incorporated into African Indigenous Knowledge Systems for research purposes,” he said.
“We continue to live within the memory of the narratives and realities which he created in religious circles where his literature complements freedom of worship, association and various rights as enshrined within the precincts of the national constitution of Zimbabwe.”
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart said the local authority will honour Nyathi by naming a street after him.
“Finally, we will ensure that every single one of our council libraries has the Nyathi corner in them,” Coltart said at the memorial service.
Government also promised to release funds towards the resuscitation of Old Bulawayo in honour of the late historian who often bemoaned its poor state.