South Africa Bids Farewell to Ambassador Nathi Mthetwa in KwaZulu-Natal
The late ambassador to France is laid to rest amid grief, tributes, and unanswered questions surrounding his death.
KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal – October 12, 2025
Preparations have been completed for the funeral of South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthetwa, whose burial is ongoing at the Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex in KwaMbonambi, north-east of Richards Bay.
Mthetwa’s sudden death has shocked the nation. It is alleged that the ambassador died by suicide after jumping from a hotel in Paris, though French authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Following Zulu tradition, the Mthetwa family observed specific customs associated with the death of a clan member believed to have taken their own life. Family members described the day as “somber and deeply painful.”
Local authorities implemented partial road closures around KwaMbonambi to ensure that the funeral procession and burial proceeded smoothly, allowing mourners to pay their final respects, amongst them is the President of South Africa.
The community has been thrown into mourning, recalling Mthetwa’s early life in the village, herding cattle as a young boy, and his later rise through the ranks of public service to represent South Africa abroad. Many residents described him as a man of the people who never lost touch with his roots.
Former cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba, who worked closely with Mthetwa in the ANC Youth League, had paid tribute to his late colleague few days ago, describing him as “a historian, a Pan-Africanist, and a man of great humor.” Gigaba added that “his legacy as a political leader and diplomat will continue to invite deep reflection and debate.”
As the processing is ongoing and the coffin is waiting to be lowered into the earth, emotions are running high. Friends, colleagues, and relatives united in grief, remembering Mthetwa not only as a statesman but as a proud son of KwaZulu-Natal whose commitment to the African cause extended beyond borders.
