The nation mourns Dr. Paul Chidyausiku a literary icon (1927 to 2025)

By Ilyana Sithole

On Friday, May 9, 2025, Dr. Paul Tadzimirwa Chidyausiku, a well-known editor, poet, and novelist, passed away quietly at his home, leaving the country in mourning. He was 98.

Honorable Dr. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga, the Acting President, issued a heartfelt condolence message acknowledging Dr. Chidyausiku’s enormous contribution to the literary landscape of the country.

Dr. Chidyausiku was born on January 1, 1927, and was the oldest of eight siblings, including the diplomat Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku and the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku. His kinship was with the Mukanya totems, Vashawasha clan.

When Chidyausiku joined Mambo Press in Gweru in 1958 as the first editor of the Catholic-run Moto magazine, his literary career officially began. The publication became a voice of support for the liberation struggle as a result of his writings which bravely tackled the racial oppression that the black majority endured under colonial rule.

Before joining the African Literature Bureau in 1974, Dr. Chidyausiku worked for the Urban Council for a short time after relocating to Harare in 1972. He committed his time at the Bureau to advancing Pan-African literature in vernacular languages developing up-and-coming and established authors, and making a substantial contribution to the growth of a Shona and Ndebele-based literary culture in Zimbabwe.

As an Assistant Director, Dr. Chidyausiku joined the Ministry of Information after Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980. His love of vernacular literature inspired him to lead the creation of Kwayedza a popular vernacular newspaper published by Zimpapers. Subsequently, he became a full-time employee of Zimpapers serving Kwayedza until his retirement.

Dr. Chidyausiku was a prolific writer who wrote 13 novels including well-known works like Broken Roots Nhoraondo Dzokuwanana, Pfungwa DzaSekuru Mafusire, Ndakambokuyambira and Karume Kangu. Poems and a large number of articles published both domestically and abroad are among his other legacies. The Women’s University in Africa honored him with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education in 2016, acknowledging his important contributions to Zimbabwean literature.

Acting President Chiwenga in his message expressed his deepest condolences to the Chidyausiku family, particulary his wife Amai Joyce Chidyausiku and their children. He stressed how Dr. Chidyausiku’s writings would guarantee his name would live on in history for many more generations.

The Acting President concluded, “May his soul find eternal peace”.

The country mourns the passing of a genuine literary titan whose contributions have permanently impacted Zimbabwe’s cultural legacy joining the Chidyausiku family in their trying time.