Nathi Mthethwa laid to rest. Photo credit: EWN/Katlego Jiyane.
On Friday, the Ambassador’s body was returned from Paris after being picked up from a Richards Bay morgue. Family members, including his wife Philisiwe Buthelezi, and representatives of the Nazareth Baptist Church were also there.
“It was not easy, we will speak about that someday,” said family spokesperson Dr Sifiso Buthelezi, acknowledging the challenges of the repatriation process. However, he also conveyed his sincere gratitude to everyone who helped bring Mthethwa, the “son of the soil,” back to his family and the South African people.
Funeral Information and Remembrances
The Special Official Funeral Category 2, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, is currently in the last stages of planning.
Time: The funeral service is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Siyabonga Sangweni Sport Complex in KwaMbonambi’s Dondotha.
Eulogy: It has been reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa will give the eulogy, which will honor Mthethwa’s lengthy political career that included several ministerial positions (Sport, Arts, Culture, and Police) and ended with his appointment as ambassador to France. The SAPS will participate in ceremonial aspects of the official funeral.
Speaking from the Mthethwa homestead, ANC KwaZulu-Natal coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu commended the late Ambassador’s political efforts, calling him “one of the fine cadres… he was a thinker, he was an ideologue, he was a leader par excellence.”
The public can attend the funeral service, which will be shown live, enabling mourners nationwide to offer their last condolences.
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