Renowned sanusi and storyteller Credo Mutwa dies
Celebrated sanusi and African author Credo Mutwa has died at the age of 98.
Mutwa died on Wednesday at Kuruman Hospital in the Northern Cape.
Family spokesperson Matshediso Setai says Mutwa was rushed to hospital on Tuesday following a lengthy illness.
"It is with profound sense of loss and deep sorrow that the Credo Mutwa Foundation wishes to officially confirm the passing of uBaba Credo Vusamazulu Mpumelelo Mutwa," Setai says in a statement.
"The foundation is requesting the nation to join the family in mourning and during this time we humbly request that the family be given space to mourn."
Mutwa is renowned for his efforts in preserving African culture, mostly through literature.
Among his most critically acclaimed work is ‘Indaba: My Children’.
His most recent work is a graphic novel called the ‘Tree of Life Trilogy’ based on his writings of his most famous book, ‘Indaba my Children’.
Mutwa was also well known and will be remembered for his predictions, including the assassination of SA Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani and the 1976 uprisings
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The news of his passing has been met with shock as condolences have started streaming in for the philosopher.
The African National Congress (ANC) says Mutwa will be remembered for being one of the country's "most distinguished sons".
"Africa has lost one of its finest sons whose contribution to our country and continent remains immeasurable. He devoted most of his energy towards preserving African culture, and challenging the tendency to relegate African cultural practices and beliefs to myths and superstitions," says ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
"An African intellectual of note, he was the author of several books. Baba Mutwa’s knowledge and intelligence is unparalleled."
Read his autobiography:
Biography 01: Introduction
I was born in Zululand on the 21st July 1921 according to my father. When my father met my mother, he had just lost his wife and a number of children in a terrible influenza epidemic, which had spread through Southern Africa, killing thousands of people in the years 1918 and 1919.