Nathi Mthethwa's gallant activism hailed during moving final send-off

IN A MOVING tribute late South African ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa’s widow Philisiwe Buthelezi Mthethwa described their  17 years of marriage as filled with love and unwavering support.

"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".

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Siyabonga Sangweni Stadium in KwaMbonambi on Sunday to pay their final respects to the former police minister, who died in Paris. French authorities have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

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.

Speaking on behalf of his siblings during Sunday’s service, his son, Mkhululi Mthethwa, 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".

In his eulogy,  Ramaphosa described the former sports, arts and culture minister as a remarkable leader who had been committed to activism, public service, and promoted 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 do the many lessons we must learn from his illustrious life. The man we are laying to rest today was an unapologetic activist".

 He said Mthethwa was of a generation that came of age as South Africa’s democracy was about to dawn.

“As we lay this gallant leader of our people to rest, what shall we say of Nathi Mthethwa’s legacy? What endowments do we carry forward from his illustrious life? What can we learn from the life of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa that would be inspiring firstly to young people and secondly to those in the ANC and those in government. The life of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa offers several deep and relevant lessons - for both young people and those within the ANC and government - especially in a time when many are questioning the future of the struggle, leadership and Public Service.”