Pretoria: The government has announced, with deep sorrow and profound regret, the untimely passing of Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to the French Republic. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has described Mthethwa as a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service in critical ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Police and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He also served on the Board of Directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mthethwa’s lifelong commitment to public duty was further exemplified by his longstanding contribution to the African National Congress through its highest decision-making structures. In December 2023, Mthethwa was appointed to strengthen the essential partnership and bilateral ties between South Africa and France. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola stated, “I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community.”
The department mentioned that the circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities. The South African government extended its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Ambassador Mthethwa, as well as to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief. The late Ambassador is survived by his wife and children. “We honour his legacy of unwavering patriotism and service to our nation,” the statement added.
Born on 23 January 1967, Mthethwa served as the Minister of Arts and Culture from 26 May 2014 to 2019. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. Between 2007 and 2022, he served as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s governing party’s chief executive organ and highest decision-making body between conferences. During the same period, he was a member of the National Working Committee (NWC), responsible for the day-to-day running of the ANC and making recommendations to the NEC.
From 2002 to 2023, Mthethwa was a Member of Parliament. He was an active member of the King Dingiswayo branch of the ANC in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), and was elected as the first Branch Secretary of the ANC in Klaarwater, KZN, in 1990. Mthethwa joined the Klaarwater Youth Organisation at age 15, rising to the role of Chairperson from 1987 to 1989. He also served as a shop steward for the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) and was involved in the ANC’s military wing, uMkhonto We Sizwe, as part of Operation Vula from 1988.
Mthethwa faced arrest during the apartheid regime’s state of emergency in 1989. He later became the Publicity Secretary of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) in Southern Natal and served as Chairperson of the Southern Natal Unemployed Workers Union, under the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) between 1989 and 1990. Between 1996 and 1998, he was an organiser for the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU), and in 1996, he was elected Chairperson of Klaarwater Residents Association.
He served as Regional Administrative Secretary of the Southern Natal African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 1990 to 1991, and as Regional Secretary from 1991 to 1994. Elected to the NEC of the ANCYL, he served in its NWC as Secretary for Organisation from 1994 to 1996, and from 1998 to 2001, he served as Head of Organisational Development. During his parliamentary tenure, Mthethwa chaired the Minerals and Energy Portfolio Committee from 2004 to 2008, and was Chief Whip of the ANC in 2008. He was Minister of Safety and Security from 25 September 2008 to 10 May 2009 before becoming Minister of Police.
Mthethwa held a Diploma in Community Development from the University of Natal, an Executive Preparatory Programme Certificate in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, and a Certificate in Leadership Communication from Rhodes University.