The Ministry of Arts and Culture is saddened by the passing away of this illustrious son of the soil, legendary Author, Mr Essien Itani Madima.
Madima¹s daughter Khathutshelo Madima said her father died of natural causes at his home in Vhufulwi, Limpopo, on Thursday, Heritage Day.
Madima¹s first book Asiene was published in 1955 and is still prescribed at schools. He has published novels, poetry anthologies and drama books.
Madima fought for the development of Tshivenda amongst writers and academics and never hesitated to call for correction when he heard people making mistakes in the language.
A teacher, and later a principal, he was described as an author for all seasons who wrote for the preservation of the language as its best storyteller.
“He has completed his journey. He has done all he could to preserve his language and culture”, Khathutshelo said.
Among other awards, Madima received the Pan South African Language Board¹s Legendary award. Tshivenda National Language Board Chairperson Richard Madadzhe said Madima’s death is a loss to the nation.
His departure leaves a big gap. It will be difficult to find an author like Madima who wrote for the love of writing and was not influenced by money but for the development of the language, he said.
Madadzhe described Madima as a William Shakespeare whose writing remains consumable for generation after generation.
Though he has passed on, he lives on in his writing, Minister Xingwana stated.
Our sincere condolences to family, friends and fans of Mr Madima.
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
28 September 2009
