Nathi Mthethwa was laid to rest at his family homestead in KwaMbonambi, northern KZN, in a ceremony steeped in Zulu cultural tradition. He was buried amongst his ancestors symbolising the bond with his heritage & family land.
Delivering his tribute, President Cyril Ramaphosa described Mthethwa as a man who “remained steadfast” and “a beacon to many.” He said the late ambassador was “taken away from us unexpectedly,” yet his spirit lives on “in the echoes of his deeds.”
Ramaphosa called Mthethwa “an unapologetic activist” who “refused to accept the injustice of apartheid” and urged South Africans to honor his legacy by upholding “equality, justice, compassion, and unity.”