‘Hamba Kahle Nkonyane’: Family Bids Final Farewell to Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa

The life of South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was celebrated in a deeply emotional send-off at his KwaMbonambi family home in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. While tributes have poured in nationally for his years of public service, it was his children’s words that truly captured who he was beyond politics and diplomacy.

Remembered First as a Father

Since his passing nearly two weeks ago, much of the public conversation has focused on his work abroad and his past as a Cabinet minister. But at his funeral, his children shifted the spotlight to the man who raised them with care, intention and quiet strength.

Speaking at the Siyanonga Sangweni Sports Complex, his son Mkhululi shared a moving tribute that left mourners visibly emotional.

“In times of loss and misdirection, you were our compass a fountain for those who seek the thirst of knowledge, shelter from the storm, and at times the storm itself.”

He described his father as a man whose influence reached far beyond the diplomatic circles he moved in.

“You have been a shining example to your children, grandchildren, the community, our nation, and the world at large. Hamba kahle, Nkonyane.”

That final phrase Hamba kahle is a familiar farewell in isiZulu culture, carrying both respect and tenderness. “Nkonyane” references the family’s praise name, marking the tribute as deeply personal.

A Sudden Loss Abroad

Mthethwa’s death came as a shock. He reportedly fell from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel, a detail that has raised many questions but few confirmed answers. For his family, though, the focus on the manner of his death has been secondary to honouring his life.

Social media has been filled with condolences from political figures, former colleagues and community members. Some have reflected on his decades in public office, while others have highlighted the strain many diplomats face while living far from home.

Community Support in Northern KZN

KwaMbonambi, his hometown, turned out in numbers. Neighbours, church members and childhood friends gathered to pay respects, speaking of a man who remained rooted to his origins despite international postings.

For many locals, the funeral felt like the closing of a chapter, not just for the Mthethwa family but for a community that watched one of their own rise to national prominence.

Beyond Titles and Tributes

Although Mthethwa held high-ranking government roles, from policing to arts and culture and finally diplomacy his children made it clear that his most meaningful role was the one away from the cameras.

Their tribute cut through the public narratives and reminded mourners that public figures are not only shaped by politics, but by the homes they return to, the children they raise and the names they answer to when titles fall away.

As the ceremony ended and the coffin was lowered into the red earth of his ancestral home, one sentiment lingered: whatever the headlines say, his legacy will live first in those who called him father.

[WATCH] 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. #RIPNathiMthethwa pic.twitter.com/lmddOwUbKm

ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 12, 2025

{Source: EWN}

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