‘In your eyes, I saw the constellations’: Mthethwa remembered as devoted father and husband

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Siyabonga Sangweni Stadium in KwaMbonambi on Sunday to pay their final respects to former Police Minister and South Africa's Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, who died in Paris last week.

The 58-year-old was laid to rest with a special official funeral category 2, attended by senior government officials and ANC leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, among others.

Mthethwa died after reportedly falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris. French authorities have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Speaking at the funeral, President Ramaphosa described Mthethwa as “a remarkable leader” whose lifelong courage and commitment helped steer South Africa toward freedom and justice. He also praised Mthethwa’s commitment to activism, public service, and his efforts to promote social cohesion through culture and heritage.

"We gather here today, in mourning and in gratitude, to honour the life of a remarkable leader—someone whose courage, conviction and compassion helped steer our nation toward freedom and justice," Ramaphosa said.

"Comrade Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa has been taken away from us, yet in the echoes of his deeds, in the memories we share of him, and in the lives he touched, his spirit endures, as does the many lessons we must learn from his illustrious life. The man we are laying to rest today was an unapologetic activist".

The President also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Mthethwa’s family and called on attendees to honour his legacy by continuing to work towards justice.

Mthethwa’s wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi Mthethwa, said their 17 years of marriage were filled with love and unwavering support. She described her late husband as her “king, protector, and joy,”

"You were my king, my protector, my joy. In your eyes, I saw the constellations. In your embrace, I felt eternity".

"And now, with one cruel stroke, death has stolen you away, tearing the fabric of our bliss, leaving me with silence where there was once melody. You were a lion of a struggle, fearless and unyielding, carrying the hope of freedom on your shoulders".

While his son, Mkhululi Mthethwa, who also spoke on behalf of his siblings, remembered his father as much more than just a parent, calling him as a source of wisdom and a pillar of strength.

"How can I possibly try to articulate your deeds or the experience of being born of a giant? My father was a man of virtue, integrity, courage, and brute honesty. As your children, we know and understand that you did all you could and all that you saw fit to prepare us for the reality".

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli also paid tribute to Mthethwa, highlighting his lifelong dedication to public service and his role as a unifying figure within the province.

"He was a patriot, a bridge builder, and a man deeply committed to the ideals of justice, peace, and progress. He joins a long and distinguished list of sons and daughters of KwaZulu-Natal who have contributed immensely to our liberation struggle and to the advancement of our democratic projects.

"His journey, from humble beginnings to serving our nation on the global stage, is a story of dedication, discipline, and patriotic service".

IOL

mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za

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