John Masuku, Sunday News Correspondent
ISAAC MPOFU, the writer of the 1972 classic Ndebele novel Wangithembisa Lami (You also promised me) has died.
Close family members and friends Nomusa Jowah (nee Makhalisa) and Davies Ndumiso Sibanda confirmed the demise of one of the best Ndebele novelists. He died on Friday.
Recently Mpofu penned Sithini IsiNdebele, which is about Ndebele language and usage which was published by Radiant Publishing and the Barbra Clara Makhalisa Literary Trust (BCMNLT).
Mpofu was born in 1932 at Malole in Filabusi, Matabeleland South. He started schooling at the age of ten. A devout Brethren in Christ (BICC) member and music conductor Mpofu completed Teacher Training in 1949 at Matopo Mission.
He taught at Filabusi School before proceeding to Goromonzi Secondary School where he passed Form Four in 1953 and was then appointed Headmaster in charge of 18 teachers at Mzinyathini School in Mzingwane district until 1957.
Davies Ndumiso Sibanda
He started writing and his first novel was Akusoka lingelasici which won first literary prize at that time. Mpofu completed three A-levels through distance learning before embarking on BA degree studies with Unisa, later going to the University of Zululand, South Africa for a year to complete his BA degree.
Besides being an accomplished teacher, Mpofu held several top positions in the Ministry of Education including being Education Officer and later Regional Director of Education in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo before going into retirement. Mpofu and his late wife were blessed with three children. Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.