An ANC supporter has brought up the fact that former president Jacob Zuma did not attend Nathi Mthethwa’s official funeral, leading others to doubt Zuma’s commitment in the party’s current disintegrated state. On 12 October 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa and hundreds of dignitaries attended the burial service of Mthethwa, the late ambassador to France and ex-Police Minister, in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal.
The absence of Zuma, who presided over the African National Congress (ANC) from 2007 to 2017—during Mthethwa’s ministerial tenure—was mostly overlooked until it was brought out online. A member of the African National Congress (ANC) took to social media to draw attention to the absence, and many wondered why a prominent figure from the past would choose to miss the ceremony.
At Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex, the funeral, which was formally a Special Official Funeral Category 2, took place with full military honours. Tributes paid respect to Mthethwa, who had 58 years of service, during which she had done everything from advocating for the arts to guiding reforms of the police force in the face of public outcry over violence. While Zuma was president, Mthethwa was a dependable ally because he defended contentious choices, such as the Nkandla upgrades probe.
However, outsiders may see Zuma’s absence as a statement about the depth of his rift with the ANC leadership following his expulsion in 2021. A user accused him of being bitter and called him “dramatic” for not attending parties, while others took a more balanced approach, implying that he avoids situations where he could be the centre of attention or where he would feel uncomfortable.
As with the ANC’s internal divisions that have been building since Zuma’s ouster, public opinion is divided along predictable lines. Others have defended his decision as an example of mature boundary-setting, claiming that if he were there, attention would be diverted away from Mthethwa and onto old grudges or even joking worries about poisoning.
Some consider it petty and associate it with Zuma’s recent avoidance of funerals for prominent figures such as Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Deputy President David Mabuza. A commentator encouraged healing for a man who previously represented the party’s strength, while another joked that Zuma “knows no one is dead,” adding to the conspiracy-tinged humour.
The conversation highlights the persistence of past experiences, which can make even a solemn parting stand in for the larger problems inside the party. Amidst the ANC’s efforts to revitalise itself in the run-up to the elections, this episode airs as unity pleas collide with residual animosity stemming from investigations into state capture and internal struggles for leadership.
Mthethwa’s steadfast loyalty, even in the face of scandals, made his departure an opportunity to heal divisions, but Zuma’s absence shows how deep divisions still are. It hurts the rank-and-file members because it’s a reminder of how the group has become disunited due to the decisions made by previous leaders.
Perhaps on purpose, Zuma’s decision does not answer issues in the ANC stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal, where funerals are routinely used to heal fences. The absence of his answer leaves room for speculation, which in turn leads to a silent reckoning regarding political forgiveness. These absences should serve as cautions to the party as it strives for unity, prompting reconciliation before other seats go vacant.
