Late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa hailed as ‘Remarkable Leader’ at KwaZulu-Natal funeral

President Cyril Ramaphosa led tributes to the late Ambassador Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa at his funeral on Sunday, October 12, 2025, describing him as a “remarkable leader” whose courage, conviction, and compassion propelled South Africa’s journey toward freedom and justice. The ceremony, held at Kwambonambi in KwaZulu-Natal, drew mourners honoring the 58-year-old anti-apartheid activist and diplomat who passed away in Paris, where he served as South Africa’s Head of Mission. Ramaphosa, delivering the eulogy, emphasized that Mthethwa’s spirit endures through his deeds and the lives he touched, urging the nation to draw lessons from his illustrious life.

Mthethwa’s early activism defined his legacy, having joined the students’ movement in his teens and immersed himself in the African National Congress (ANC)’s underground operations during the 1980s. Ramaphosa portrayed him as an “unapologetic activist” who rejected apartheid’s injustices with unwavering resolve, organizing workers at the Just Juice factory, convening clandestine meetings, mobilizing youth, and fostering peaceful resistance. “He placed himself on the frontlines not for glory, but because he believed in the correctness of the struggle for freedom and the dignity of every person,” the president said, noting Mthethwa’s refusal to succumb to laws designed to divide, demean, and destroy.

In the post-apartheid era, Mthethwa transitioned seamlessly into public service, serving as Minister of Police from 2008 to 2014 and as Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture from 2014 to March 2023. Appointed by Ramaphosa as South Africa’s Ambassador to France thereafter, he championed culture as a force for healing, unity, and national identity, advocating for spaces where young people could thrive. As envoy, Mthethwa elevated South Africa’s global narrative, forging alliances rooted in mutual respect and opening international opportunities for his compatriots.

Addressing Mthethwa’s family, Ramaphosa offered profound condolences, acknowledging the private sacrifices they endured. “We know this loss is deeply personal. We recognise the many private sacrifices you made so that Comrade Nathi might carry public burdens. Today, we share your grief. We stand with you in sorrow, but also in pride: of a life lived with integrity, of a mission fulfilled that was bigger than any single person,” he said. The president stressed that while state honors cannot replace personal loss, strength could be found in cherished memories of Mthethwa’s kindness and ideals.

The funeral was accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 2, featuring ceremonial elements by the South African Police Service. Ramaphosa called on South Africans to honor Mthethwa by safeguarding the freedoms he fought for, confronting inequality, amplifying the voiceless, and embodying equality, justice, compassion, and unity. “Let us honour Nathi Mthethwa’s memory by renewed commitment,” he urged, as the nation reflects on a leader whose legacy continues to inspire.