President Cyril Ramaphosa has described late ambassador Nathi Mthethwa as an ‘unapologetic activist’, who led with courage, conviction and compassion.

Ramaphosa was delivering a eulogy at Mthethwa’s funeral in KwesakwaMthethwa near Richards Bay on Sunday.

ALSO READ: SA mourns the death of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa

“For him, living a life of activism was not just about protest – it was about purpose.

“It was about committing yourself to something larger than personal comfort: justice, equality, dignity and freedom,” said Ramaphosa.

“It was about refusing to accept the world as it is, and working – every day – to build the world as it should be.

“He knew from an early age that the path of activism he had chosen was a difficult one and that it would involve sacrifice.”

📸 President @CyrilRamaphosa at Dondotha Stadium, KwaMbonambi in KwaZulu-Natal for the Special Official Funeral Service of the late Ambassador to France Emmanuel Nkosinathi Nathi Mthethwa.#RIPNathiMthethwa 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/peMdDSjfe9

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 12, 2025

The ambassador passed away in the French capital on 30 September at the age of 58.

“As ambassador, he took South Africa’s mission abroad seriously: not just in diplomacy, but in forging friendships, alliances and mutual respect.

“In doing so, he sought to ensure our story, our values, our hopes are known in the world, and that the world’s opportunities are open to us,” the president said.

📸 President @CyrilRamaphosa at Dondotha Stadium, KwaMbonambi in KwaZulu-Natal for the Special Official Funeral Service of the late Ambassador to France Emmanuel Nkosinathi Nathi Mthethwa.#RIPNathiMthethwa 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/hOEYoP4AHG

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 12, 2025

He added that Mthethwa’s life offers ‘several deep and relevant lessons – for both young people and those within the ANC and government – especially at a time when many are questioning the future of the struggle, leadership and public service’.

“Much as we are here to accompany Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa on his final journey, more importantly we are here to return Nathi’s soul to this community, which gave him its blessing to leave and join the struggle for the liberation of our people,” said Ramaphosa.

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