12/08/2016
Our Artiste of the Week
Albert Nyathi: Part Profile
Date of Birth: 15th November 1962
Education:
1981: Mpumelelo Primary School - Bulawayo
1982 - 1985: "O" Level Msiteli Secondary School - Bulawayo
1986 - 1987: "A" Level Matopo High School - Matabeleland South
1988 - 1990: BA General University of Zimbabwe
1991: - BA (Hons) English Lit. University of Zimbabwe
Formal Work:
1991 - Publications and Information Officer: National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (part time)
1992 - 1994: Publications and information Officer: National Arts Council of Zimbabwe
1995 - 1997: Acting Director: National Arts Council of Zimbabwe
1997 - Resigned from the NAZC to pursue music and poetry and the subsequent tours
1997 - Established Imbongi Arts, an informal arts education institution
Brief Profile
Albert Nyathi is a poet, a musician, theatre personnel and writer who is a household name at home and abroad. He has toured a number of countries, and, in fact he goes on tour almost every year.
Some of the countries toured so far:
Denmark
Holland
Belgium
Hawaii (USA)
England
Ireland
Northern Ireland
Wales
South Africa
Botswana
Malawi
Namibia
Mozambique
Sicily (Italy)
Libya
Algeria
Sweden
Etc
Awards, Honours and Prizes
a) 2016: Awarded The Best Innovative Individual in the Achievement of Gender Parity by Women’s University in Africa during the International Women’s Day Celebrations
b) 2013 : My Daughter – Outstanding Children’s Book - NAMA
c) 2011: Arts Personality of the year– NAMA
d) 2011: Echoes from Zimbabwe (book) nominated for NAMA
e) 2007 : Arts Personality of the year-NAMA
f) 2006 : His Royal Highness (HRH) - South Africa (presented by poet Zolani Mkhiva)
g) 2001: Top 10 Zimbabwean Young People – Junior Chamber International
h) 1998: Top 10 Zimbabwean Young People – Junior Chamber International
i) 1996 : Nominated for TSAMA-Tinotenda - Siyabonga Music Awards
j) 1994 : Poet of the Year-AME Awards (Arts Media and Entertainment Awards)
k) 1984 : 1st Prize-Ever-sharp National High Schools Poetry Contest (Water & the Land)
Nurturing Talent
Albert has, over the years been working with young artists, identifying, grooming and nurturing talent through Imbongi Arts. Among those who came through such programmes are the following:
a) Mateo - has done very well locally
b) Prudence Katomeni Mbofana – multiple award winning singer, now a successful singer at international level
c) Charles Chipanga - now plays with Oliver Mtukudzi locally and internationally
d)Tabeth - with the UK based SIYAYA
e)Balt and Bert - has done very well locally and internationally in jazz music
f) IYASA – Multiple award winning dance group, now internationally acclaimed
g) Marian Kunonga - lead actress in the film FLAME
h) Sandra Ndebele - has done very well on the local market
i) Imbongi Jazz - has been travelling internationally virtually every year since 1999. The group has done very well and commands a lot of respect among African entertainers
Quite a number of these artists are now renowned both in Zimbabwe and abroad.
Educational Programmes – 2010
Following the tremendous success of the 2009 educational programme at Winchmore Secondary School, Nyathi was once again invited by the same school in 2010. This time he was to work with a number of primary schools and a secondary school, (Winchmore itself) in London’s Enfield Town.
In 2009, Nyathi had been invited by Winchmore School courtesy of the British Council programme, Connecting Class Rooms. In that programme he was joined by two Lower Sixth students from Mpopoma High School, Lisa Sidambe and Kevin Bhuru. Mpopoma High School is twinned with Winchmore School through the Connecting Classrooms programme. The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe paid for return air tickets for Lisa and Kevin.The school had earlier on come across Nyathi’s poem “My Daughter” through the former Headmaster of Mpopoma High School, Mr Tivington Ncube. The school had fallen in love with the poem so much that they traced the writer leading to the subsequent invitation. Some art pupils had in fact, done their own illustrations of the poem by drawing various animals around it.
Among other schools that Nyathi has worked with are the following: Christs' Hospital School (in West Sussex), Brymore Secondary (in Summerset), Kingstone Secondary (in Hereford) Carterhatch, Highfield and St. Mathews CE Primary School, (Enfield, London), Godolphin Primary School (Hereford), Hill House International Junior School (Central London).
Denmark
In 1994, he spent 6 months in Odense, Denmark during which period he travelled the entire breadth and length of Denmark doing educational work in schools. He was based at the Theatre of Odense. Odense is the third largest town in Denmark, after Copenhagen and Arhus. Nyathi visited over 40 schools in virtually all the provinces of Denmark. During that time he was also invited to, Sweden as well as Holland where he performed poetry and story telling in schools and a few theatres in Stockholm.
He has worked with both primary and secondary schools, including colleges and some universities, like the University of Warwick in Coventry.
Ambassadorship
Mr Nyathi has been honoured by a number of institutions by being appointed either as brand ambassador or merely as a representative icon. These include the following:
UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) General Assembly brand ambassador – 2013. When the event took place in Zimbabwe, Nyathi was appointed its cultural Brand Ambassador.
Population Services International (PSI), brand ambassador for circumcision – 2013 to 2016. This is a programme that encourages males, particularly boys to be circumcised in order to reduce the risk of various infections that includes HIV and cervical cancer. Telecel Zimbabwe Brand Ambassador: 2013 – 2014. Telecel is the second biggest mobile phone company in Zimbabwe.
UN Regional Creative Artists Advisory Council member (UN Gender Champion): 2013 to 2015
This is the UN Secretary General’s initiative to end violence against women. It is called the UNiTE Africa Campaign and is part of a global campaign to use popular artists in the campaign.
British Council Climate Change Icon: 2010-2011
Mr. Albert Nyathi was appointed the British Council Climate Icon by the British Council in Zimbabwe. His programme enabled him to work with a number of schools in Zimbabwe and the UK, creating poetry collectively with the pupils, that has to do with climate change and global warming. A lot of pupils benefited from the programme, particularly those who studied Geography and Science as well as those who are interested in the literary arts.
Through this programme, Nyathi became a darling of schools, as he was seen as a responsible role model. In most schools, as he arrived to introduce the climate change programme, the authorities got so excited that they normally invite him to give some short poetry recitals for the entire school at assembly. The poem, My Daughter became a children’s anthem.
Appointed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, to a 4 member team of Education, Awareness and Training to write a chapter on the Third National Communication on Climate Change, 2014 – 2015. Gather views from various stakeholders on how to address issues of climate change through Education, Awareness and Training, which would then be added to Article 6 of the 3rd National Communication, following recommendations made by The Congress of Parties in Durban (COP17).
Performance for Heads of State and Government – 2010
In 2010, August, he was invited by the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the Artists Trust of Sothern Africa (ARTSA) to perform for Heads of State and Government in, Windhoek, Namibia, celebrating the SADC 30th anniversary. He gave a good account of himself in front of the SADC leadership in a programme that was televised live on Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (TV). In that programme, he also urged the SADC leadership to meaningfully integrate the region, starting with cultural workers, whose movements should not be restricted. “We are one people divided by artificial borders, not created by ourselves,” he said to a thunderous applause. He got rave reviews in the press, regionally for his sterling performance.
My Daughter - 2012
Nyathi published his most popular poem, My Daughter in the form of a book for children, targeted at girls. On the first day that it came out, it sold 350 copies, and since then, it has been doing very well. Corporates usually buy in bulk to donate to schools of their choice. Fathers and mothers now prefer buying a copy of My Daughter to buying a birthday card for their loved daughters because of the message contained, the uniqueness of the book. The highly illustrated book is 40 pages and won the award for Children’s Most Outstanding Book, 2013 (National Arts Merit Awards).
My Son – 2016
Published My Son, a sequel to My daughter, co-written with Ignatius Mabasa. Launched 20 July 2016, in Durban South Africa during the International AIDS Conference. Officially launched for the Zimbabwean Minister of Health, Dr David Parirenyatwa, with ministers of health from over 10 countries, including Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland and the host South Africa.
Ten Conversations to End AIDS – 2016
Published My Son, a sequel to My daughter, co-written with Dr Daniel Low-Beer. Launched 20 July 2016, in Durban South Africa during the International AIDS Conference. Officially launched for the Zimbabwean Minister of Health, Dr David Parirenyatwa, with ministers of health from over 10 countries, including Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland and the host South Africa.
UN Regional Artists Advisory Council – 2012
In 2012 Nyathi was appointed to the U N Regional Creative Artists Advisory Council and the primary role of this Council is to fight to reduce violence against women and girls. This is the UN Secretary General’s initiative and Nyathi is Zimbabwe’s representative on the Council.
Related Business Engagements
NAC: 2013-2015; Worked with the National AIDS Council, creating theme songs for the World AIDS Day, and performing with various artists each year, invariably, among them Dereck Mpofu, Dudu Manhenga, Pauline Gundidza, Tererai Mugwadi, Adiona Maboreke Chidzonga, Bob Nyabinde, Flem B, Mono Mukundu.
ICAP: 2015-2016; Worked with various artists as the lead creative in composing and recording the advertorial song Knock, knock, knock, which is marketing ZIMPHIA, a ground breaking survey conducted by ICAP at Colombia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Childcare. ZIMPHIA is part of the PHIA Project, a five year multiple country initiative funded by the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Worked with, among others, Dereck Mpofu, Pauline Gundidza, Tererai Mugwadi, Adiona Maboreke Chidzonga, Bob Nyabinde, Flem B, Mono Mukundu.
ICASA: 2015; Performed at the launching of the 18th edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held at the Harare International Conference Centre, in December.
NAC: Wrote National AIDS Council theme song in 2013 for the World AIDS Day, and have performed it on numerous occasions.
ZIMPHIA: 2015: Wrote a theme song for ICAP entitled Knock Knock for the ZIMPHIA programme, which is Zimbabwe Population Based HIV Impact Assessment Survey. This song was meant to persuade people to be tested for HIV as part of the survey.
In addition, Albert conducted road shows in all major cities and towns in 2916. Did the launching in all the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.
International AIDS Festival - 2016
Invited to perform at the International AIDS Conference in Durban, which was attended by Ministers of Health from different countries. Also attended by Bill Gates, Elton John and Prince Harry among other luminaries. Performed at the Global Village’s main stage.
Zimbabwe International Book Fair – 2016
Invited to perform during the official opening ceremony by the Minister of Education and during one of the indaba sessions.
Community Projects 2012
Africa Book Development Organisation –Board Chairperson
Africa Book Development Organisation is a not for profit organisation that supplies books to rural libraries. It operates in 7 districts namely Chakari, Chegutu, Chivhu, Tsholotsho, Gokwe North, Umzingwane and Matopo. Currently it is building a primary school in a poor farming community in Chakari called Mopani Park Primary School and the school is almost complete.
Amanzi Yimpilo: Installed a water solar pumping system for orphans in particular and villagers in general in his rural home of Kafusi in Gwanda, Matabeleland South. There is a garden used by both orphans and villagers, which is about one hector. The borehole services over two hundred villagers and livestock apart from watering the vegetables. Drilled a borehole for villagers with the assistance of friends in 2011. The area is very dry. In 2014, a drip irrigation system was installed as well as a greenhouse, 12m x 8m. Villagers grow vegetables for consumption as well as commercial purposes.
Development of the Water Project in Chronological Order - Briefly
2007 – Mooting the idea with Mr. Simon Mafihlo Nyathi leading the way
2008 – Purchase of garden tools – just some light flickering from a distance
2009 – Things look bleak, but we do not lose hope - some villagers lose hope
2010 – Sourcing funds with things looking quite pessimistic
2011 – The drilling of the borehole – some measure of hope
2012 – Installation of the solar pumping system – wild cheers & celebrations
2013 – Proper fencing of the garden on a bigger area – we are still hopeful
2014 – Installation of irrigation scheme and greenhouse – tears of joy
2015 – We look forward to being the example of what an organized community can collectively achieve in the country with proper guidance.
Echoes from Zimbabwe – 2010
Nyathi finally published a collection of his poetry which he titled, Echoes from Zimbabwe. This is a collection of poetry from his early writings, while still at secondary school to date. It is almost autobiographical, with some illustrations from visual artists like Voti Thebe, FisaniNkomo, Dominic Benhura and Owen Maseko among others. It also includes, as part of illustration, some photography. This is where you would see some of his boyish poems and the entire journey travelled so far .About 200 pages.
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) - Music Consultant , 1999-2001.
HIFA is Zimbabwe’s premier arts festival and brings together people from various walks of life, both in Zimbabwe and those from outside Zimbabwe. It draws artists from home and abroad.
Chairman – Zimbabwe Music Right Association – 2010 - 2016
In January, 2010, Nyathi was elected the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association by the ZIMURA Board of Directors (at their inaugural meeting), which was put in place through a popular vote in December 2009 which had seen Nyathi and the other Board members being voted in. These include Bob Nyabinde,Tendai Mpfurutsa, Joyce Simeti, Dingumuzi Phuthi, Emmanuel Thomas and Witness Zhangazha.
Founding Chairperson – Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe – 1990 – 1996
This is an organisation that saw the birth of numerous award winning writers in Zimbabwe who include the following: Ignatius Mabasa, the late Stephen Alumenda, Tinei Muchuri, Reginald Chapfika, among others. A lot of writing workshops and competitions were conducted during this period.
Chelsea Football Club Education Programme - 2005
In 2005, Albert was invited by Chelsea Football Club, in collaboration with, the FA (Football Association of England), Kick It Out Magazine and the Westminster Library and Archives, to work with children of all races on poetry against racism in football. The workshops, which took place in children's libraries in London's Westminster and Paddington towns, lasted for a week and were quite a joy. This culminated in a march with the children across the ground at Stamford Bridge 5 minutes before the match kick off between Chelsea and Bolton. Some of the players present were Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Jay Jay Okocha. This was the launching of the Black History Month, which is October in the UK.
Millennium Young People’s Congress - 1999
In 1999, Albert, together with his group Imbongi was chosen by the United Nations to represent the continent of Africa in the Hawaii Millennium Young People's Congress. They did a wonderful job out there and were invited by the actor who played the role of Kunta Kinte to perform and shoot a film at a beach in Honolulu.
Talent Scouting Programme
In addition to the informal training programmes that Imbongi Arts has conducted over the years in Harare, drawing kids as far as Mutare, Bulawayo, Kadoma, Masvingo etc during school holidays, Imbongi ran a telent search programme which was held at Mpopoma High School from 2000 up to 2001.
This programme drew pupils as far afield as Binga, the Midlands, Harare, Masvingo, Tsholotsho, Plumtree, Gwanda, the Victoria Falls, to mention just a few areas. The inaugural winners of the programme were Njube High School followed by King George School (LIYANA – Prudence Mabhena, whose documentary won the 2009 Oscar Award), the current holders of the Imbongi trophy.
The programme, unfortunately stopped due to immense expenses involved. Parents and schools alike bemoaned lack of funding as the programme was interesting and every pupil very much looked forward to the last week of first term (April), which was when it took place.
Other Related Activities - judging
Albert has been involved in a number of projects like CBZ – A Academy where he was a talent judge for a television programme run by Gary Thomson and Associates. This is Zimbabwe’s own version of the idols music competition.
Almost every year, Nyathi gets invited by various women organisations to perform during important days that are designated by the UN like International Women’s Day as well as the 16 Days of Activism.
In 2012 alone, he was involved in numerous community developmental projects, being invited either as consultant, guest of honour or judge in a number of activities and contests, Miss Universities being one of them. Jikinya Dance Festival, Zimbo Talent, Chibuku Road to Fame, Harare Agricultural Show’s entertainment section, the Zimbabwe International Book Fair and Culture Fund workshop facilitation as well as performing in a number of functions both private and public are some of the activities carried out in the past few years. This also includes social activities like the launching of albums by young artists and, of course, needless to mention that he is almost always invited to give advice to numerous young artists and students who normally approach him for such services on a regular basis.
Note: Albert also performed at the recently concluded Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2016 and performed some of his poems.
