Dr Vusi Shongwe: KZN mourns the loss of a selfless heritage scholar

Tributes continue to pour in for Dr Vusi Shongwe, a cultural expert and historian who served for many years as chief director of heritage services at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Shongwe, 56, passed away on Tuesday following a brief illness.

A prolific writer, he contributed regularly as a guest columnist for the Sunday Tribune and other titles in the Independent Newspaper group and beyond. In recent years, he specialised in profiling prominent figures in politics and other fields.

Dr Shongwe also served as head of the Royal Household Unit within the Premier's Office during a challenging period, helping professionalise and make the Zulu monarchy self-sustaining under the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.

The 1860 Heritage Centre, which recently commemorated the 165th anniversary of the arrival of indentured Indian workers in South Africa, described him as "an intellectual giant who served his country with distinction in heritage preservation. Hamba kahle, Mavitshotsho."

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula said Shongwe’s passing marks a profound loss to the province’s heritage, academic, and cultural landscape.

"Dr Shongwe was widely respected as an academic of exceptional intellect, known for his incisive commentary on social issues in newspapers and on social media. His sound leadership and commitment to public education made him an influential voice in conversations about culture, identity, and social change," said Khawula.

He added that he was a driving force behind heritage preservation and transformation.

"His leadership reflected a deep belief that heritage is central to community identity, national healing, and social cohesion. Dr Shongwe was more than a senior official; he was a custodian of knowledge, a cultural scholar, and a committed public servant whose passion for heritage shone in everything he did. His intellectual clarity, devotion to the Zulu Royal House, and ability to engage society with his academic voice made him a rare and invaluable leader. We mourn his passing with heavy hearts and extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were shaped by his remarkable life. His legacy will remain embedded in the cultural and intellectual fabric of KwaZulu-Natal."

The ANC in KZN described Dr Shongwe’s death as a significant loss to the nation, the province, and all who value intellectual rigour.

"He worked tirelessly to advance the preservation of our cultural identity, collective memory, and historical consciousness. Widely known as a prolific public intellectual and commentator, he wrote incisive, thought-provoking articles almost every day, each grounded in theory, history, humour, moral insight, and practical wisdom," the ANC said.

Reflecting on his tenure at the Royal Household Unit, the party added:

"He worked tirelessly to protect and promote the proud legacy of Zulu monarchs, including penning a thesis on King Dingane KaSenzangakhona. Though he faced many battles in the public discourse, as a true warrior of thought, he emerged decisively victorious in the battle of ideas. His pen was fearless, his intellect unflinching, and his voice principled. His passing leaves a painful void in the thinking community."

Dr Shongwe also wrote extensively during the contested succession of the Zulu throne after King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu’s passing, offering guidance drawn from his experience in administering the royal household. He continued to write after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's ascension, analysing the challenges of leading the Zulu nation in modern times and navigating the complex political landscape in the era of coalition governments and shift of power in geopolitics.

Yet his work extended beyond cultural and political matters. He wrote on contemporary issues, religion, and academic subjects, effortlessly switching between the Zulu language, street slang, and scholarly discourse, always reminding his audience of his streetwise insights.

Behind the Dr title, he was Mavustero, he once quipped. Passionate, relentless, and endearingly persistent. Editors came to expect his opinion pieces and drafts on topical issues, often arriving in multiples at once. On top of that, he would still send daily "Thoughts of the Day" texts.

Shongwe was both every editor’s dream and challenge, he would send multiple opinion pieces, exuberantly tracking the publication of his work. He would make up for the persistence with his effusive gratefulness of seeing his byline online and would enthusiastically reference specific editor's clan names if they happened to be of Nguni descent.

The advent of digital platforms for newspapers saw him writing more than before, as he knew that editors would no longer have any excuse of space constraints. His work ethic was unmatched, lilke time didn't exist in his world.

His passing marks the loss of a rare voice that could deliver tributes of the departed as effortlessly as he incisively analysed history or society. Humble yet brilliant, he sought to leave the world enriched by his knowledge, freely shared.

Dr Shongwe will be laid to rest tomorrow at Lincoln Meade, following a funeral service at the Royal Showgrounds Hall in Pietermaritzburg.

Hamba kahle, Mtimande. Farewell, doc. Uvaye grand, Mavustero.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE