Prof. S. Nyota

Academic Qualifications

• · DLitt et Phil in African Languages (UNISA, 2008)
• · M.A. in African Languages 9UNISA, 2000)
• · B.A. Honours in African Languages (UNISA, 1997)
• · BA General (University of Zimbabwe, 1983)
• · Graduate Certificate in Education (University of Zimbabwe, 1988)
• · Professional Qualifications
• · Certificate in Child Counselling, CONTACT Family Counselling Centre (2000)
• · Certificate in Systemic Counselling Zimbabwe Institute of Systemic Therapy (ZIST) (1988)

Research Interests

Prof Shumirai Nyota’s research interests include, Phonetics, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Sustainable Development, Endangered Languages, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

Selected Publications

• · Nyota, S. and Mamvura, Z. (2023). Old age and disability in Shona folktale (Ngano) performances: A Dariro (circle) foundational theoretical perspective. In Pepetual Mforbe Chiangong (Ed). Old Age in African Literary and Cultural Contexts. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• · Zvinashe Mamvura, Shumirai Nyota & Hugh Mangeya (2023) “Breaking Taboos”: Bond Notes, Humour, and Civil Resistance in Zimbabwean Cyber-Communities, Communicatio, 48:4, 19-42, DOI: 10.1080/02500167.2023.2181370 South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research. Routeledge, Tailor and Francis Group
• · Nyota, S. 2022. Tonga Livelihoods in Mkoka in the Context of Contact with Shona Settlers. In J. Matanzima and K. Helliker (Eds). Routeledge, Publishers
• · Nyota, S. 2022. Shona proverbs as drivers of Sustainable Development Goals. published in the International Committee on Proverbs (ICP21) proceedings).
• · Mamvura, Z., Nyota, S and Masowa, (2021) A. ‘The projection of the Elderly in Shona Discourse: A Liguistic Anthropological Study’. In Chiagong, P.M. Ed. Old Age in African Literary and Cultural Contexts. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp137-152.
• · Nyota, S. and Mamvura, Z. 2020. “The form and communicative impact of Shona postproverbials” in Matatu: Journal of African Culture and Society published with Brill (Leiden). Pp282-298.
• · Nyota, S. and Mapara, J. 2017. ‘Warning of Potential Hazards through Namming: A Study of Selected Hydronyms in Nyanga’ in Chabata, E. and mashiri, P. eds. Zimbabwean Naming Practices and Patterns: A Sociolinguistic Approach. University of Zimbabwe Publications, Harare.
• · Nyota, S. ( 2016). ‘Language shift among the Tonga of Mkoka? Assessing ethnolinguistic vitality in Gokwe south’. in South African Journal of African Languages, SAJAL. Paper was presented at the Linguistiches Kolloquim Sommersemester 2014. Humboldt University in Berlin. Pp 215-224
• · Nyota, S. and Mapara, J. ( 2015). ‘Suburban Blight: Perpetuating Colonial Memory Through Naming in Mutare, Zimbabwe’. Book Chapter in Nyambi, Mangena and Pfukwa (Eds). The Postcolonial Condition of Names and Naming Practices in Southern Africa 298-306.
• · Nyota,S. and Mapara (2014). J. The Doke Tragedy: The case of Tonga. In Chabata, E. et al eds. Book Chapter first presented at a Resuscitating Zimbabwe’s Endangered
• Languages through Teaching, Research and Documentation: A Project on Tonga, Binga Conference held from 13-15 June 2012. Pp 302-318.
• · Nyota, S. (2014). “Types of Meaning” in AECS104: Introduction to General Linguistics 11. Harare; Zimbabwe Open University.· Nyota, S. (2014). Translation Issues in “Alice Munyika Yamashiripiti” (A Shona Translation of Alice in Wonderland. Dublin: Evertype Publishing.
• · Nyota, S. Nyoni, T. ( 2014). “Alice Munyika Yamashiripiti” (A Shona Translation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Dublin: Evertype Publishing.
• · Nyota, S. (2013): Exclusion of Minority Languages in Zimbabwe: The Case of Shangaani and Venda. In Dzimbabwe Journal of Arts and Social Sciences. Vol 1
• · Mapara, J. and Nyota, S. 2012. Literature and selective memory: Zimbabwe’s war of liberation as depicted in selected Shona novels. In Tsebo: Journal of Humanities. Special Issue, Vol. 2. No.4. Pp 171-192.
• · Nyota, S. (2012): Mentor, Vakoma, Friend. In: Julius Heinicke, Hilmar Heister, Tobias R. Klein and Viola Prüschenk (eds.). Kuvaka Ukama- Building Bridges: A Tribute to Flora Veit- Wild. Kalliope Paperbacks. 81-87.
• · Nyota, S and Sibanda, F. 2012. ‘Digging for Diamonds, Wielding New Words: A Linguistic Perspective on Zimbabwe’s Blood Diamonds’ in Journal of Southern African Studies. February 2012.

Contact details

Email: nyotas@zou.ac.zw

Mobile: +263 777 000 818

Telephone: +263 242 795991/ 795990/796464/ 770743/770744/ 794731/ 795518/ 7997730/ 793002/ 7/ 8 extn 296

Physical Address: Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies Corner House, 5th Floor, Corner Samora Machel Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street, Harare, Zimbabwe.