Renowed literary icon Professor Peter Tshobisa Mtuze, a distinguished author and translator, left a legion of fans grieving when he passed away on 12th July 2025.
Mtuze, one of the most prominent isiXhosa writers, made remarkable contributions to shaping the country’s literary landscape, producing poetry, drama, autobiography, and theological books.
He also authored numerous novels used in schools and tertiary institutions, including “UDingezweni,” “Umsinga,” and “Vingc’amazibuko,” to name but a few.
He is also known for translating significant works such as Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom” and Steve Biko’s “I Write What I Like” from English into isiXhosa.
The son of two farm workers, Mtuze was born on Leeuhoek Farm in Middelburg near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. He held two PhDs and garnered experience exploring different sectors, working as a broadcaster, a court interpreter, an ANC activist, an ordained priest, an author, and a professor at several universities across South Africa.
Conveying her condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the literary fraternity, Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo said the department was privileged to have honoured Mtuze at the Eastern Cape Book Fair in October last year.
“We recognised him for his lifelong service to literature and the advancement of African languages. The department also published what would become his last book, titled ‘Iziduko nezinqulo zesiXhosa’.”
“We are proud to have walked this journey with him and to have contributed to cementing his legacy,” she said.
Mtuze died at the age of 84, leaving behind his wife Dr Kutala Mtuze, his children, and grandchildren.
