Another luminary of African language literature has departed...
Arts industry mourns literary giant Sigogo http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/arts8.14304.html By Staff Reporter Last updated: 06/18/2006 18:14:06 NDABEZINHLE Sigogo, a giant of Ndebele literature was buried in Bulawayo on Saturday. He was 74 at the time of his death last Wednesday. He leaves behind wife Irene, seven children and 13 grandchildren. After a colourful literary career spanning 40 years, Sigogo passed away quietly at his Tshabalala home on Wednesday night, plunging the arts industry into mourning. Present at Sigogo's funeral was the who-is-who of the arts industry, including prominent historian and author, Phathisa Nyathi and musician-cum-poet Albert Nyathi. National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) acting director, Elias Mari led the tributes, describing Sigogo as a "literary genius". He said: "Some of us who had the privilege of working with him drew a lot of inspiration and comfort from his enormous zeal, passion and commitment to the development and promotion of literature especially indigenous Shona and Ndebele literature." Sigogo wrote 19 novels and children's books, contributed to 12 anthologies, penned five poetry books and won countless literary awards. Many of his books have been used as set books at both high and tertiary institutions. Sigogo won nine literary awards. His crowning moment in literary arts came early this year when he was among a host of eminent local artists who received Silver Jubilee awards. The Awards were conferred to at least 25 individuals whose contribution to local arts in the last 25 years was deemed outstanding. Nyathi said: "He was a humble man who was so eccentric about his talent to an extent that people thought that he was a man possessing a doctorate or PhD." Born in 1932 and married to Irene Ngwenya, Sigogo started writing in 1958. Sigogo surpassed most of his contemporaries and other schooled citizens with his literary prowess despite having attained modest education up to Standard Six (now Grade Seven). The dedicated writer embarked on private studies and attained a Junior Certificate (Form Two), `O' Levels, bookkeeping and a diploma in Journalism and Professional Writing. In 1950 he was employed as an untrained teacher, but left after six years to join the District Development Fund. >From 1960 to 1969, he worked as clerk for the then department of Literary Affairs in Filabusi and Shurugwi before he joined Mambo Press editorial staff in Gweru that same year. He parted company with Mambo Press in 1974 when the racist Rhodesian regime banned the then weekly paper, Moto. Sigogo moved to the Catholic Bishops' office in Bulawayo where he translated into Ndebele the church's liturgy, rites and numerous other materials. In July 1975 he joined the Literature Bureau under the Ministry of Education as an editorial officer and retired at the end of 1992 as principal editorial officer having been in charge of the Bureau in Bulawayo for five years. During the search for the new national anthem, he chaired the five-member committee, which assesses Ndebele lyrics. He later translated the late Solomon Mutswairo's prize winning lyrics from Shona into Ndebele and participated in the many relevant meetings in Harare before President Robert Mugabe proclaimed the anthem. Sigogo was also a member of the Zimbabwe Writers' Union (ZIWU) where he held various posts, Zimbabwe African Language Writers Association (ZALWA) and helped the Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe (BWAZ). He was also very versatile as he acted on TV notably the drama series MAWA. In 2002 he won the Best Junior and Young Adult literature awards in the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) sponsored by NACZ - additional reporting Daily Mirror/Sunday News/Staff Reporter ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Something is new at Yahoo! Groups. Check out the enhanced email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/SISQkA/gOaOAA/yQLSAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
