In remembrance: Simphiwe Nolutshungu

Dear colleagues and students

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the death of our colleague, Mr Simphiwe Nolutshungu (50), on Sunday, 1 October 2023 after a long illness.

Mr Nolutshungu was a lecturer in African Languages and Literature at the School of Languages and Literatures in the Faculty of Humanities. He joined the University of Cape Town in October 2017, teaching isiXhosa literature to first, second and third-year students.

Mr Nolutshungu was very committed to studying isiXhosa literature, was engaged in doctoral research, and published novels and poetry anthologies. His works include the novels Amathunzi Ezolo (1996) and Iingceba Zegazi (2012), as well as the poetry collections Nolutshungu Avenue (2011) and Iingcango Zentliziyo (2017). The latter won a South African Literary Award in 2017.

Described as a kind and gentle person, Mr Nolutshungu will be remembered for his passion for literature, his humour, and how he could touch the deepest of souls with his eloquent use of words. His family, friends and colleagues take comfort in his words from one of his poems, “Emva Kwalo Mgcwabo” (after this funeral), where he wrote: “…it’s not goodbye forever, we will meet again, I will wait, patiently”.

He is survived by his wife, Sinoxolo; his children, Alumanye and Lumanyiwe; and his brother, Vuyisile.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, 14 October 2023 in Ezibeleni in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. A memorial service is in the process of being organised by the department.

The university has reached out to offer support to Mr Nolutshungu’s family, and our heartfelt condolences go out to them during this difficult time.

Sincerely

The UCT Executive

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