South African Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa Shares Mysterious Vision Before Tragic Death
South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, had confided in close associates just days before his untimely death that he had received a message from his deceased father, prompting speculation that he may have been aware of his own passing.
A close friend of Mthethwa, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that the former police minister spoke about a strange experience that occurred the night after he went missing from his official residence in Paris. “He called the associate and said that he was sleeping at night, and while in his sleep, he saw a light, and his father emerged and called him. He definitely spoke of his father, who died a long time ago, calling him,” the source said.
The associate added that Mthethwa’s discussions with his inner circle suggest he might have been responding to an ancestral calling or possibly struggling with a mental health challenge that led to his tragic decision. “I’m not saying that this could be the only reason he took his own life, but those are the conversations he has been having with his inner circle,” the associate said.
Even amid speculation that he may have been killed, some observers note that Mthethwa appeared to have a sense of foreknowledge about his death.
Family spokesperson Sfiso Buthelezi confirmed that conversations about ancestors and tradition were never considered taboo in the Mthethwa household. “For me, if a friend says there was this conversation, there is nothing shameful about it; there is no disgrace,” Buthelezi told Sunday World.
He elaborated: “Nathi never shared that with us, but culturally, there is no shame. As a family, we may not be aware, but he was a person steeped in tradition and culture. During his wedding, after the Christian proceedings, he insisted on the traditional and cultural Zulu rituals being followed. He was proud of his culture. There is no shame [in that].”
Buthelezi also noted that within the family, discussing one’s roots and culture was commonplace. “It is not unlikely that he could have had that discussion with somebody else because culture is a topic we always talk about,” he said.
A government source who spent time with Mthethwa highlighted the ambassador’s deep knowledge of tradition and history. “Knowing the type of person he was, he was very knowledgeable about the culture of our people and about our history,” the official said.
Reflecting on past experiences with Mthethwa, the government source recounted a moment that now seems almost prophetic. “One of the conversations we might have had was when we visited a graveyard where soldiers of African descent, who contributed to World War II, were buried. I seem to recall him explaining that the spirit of someone was collected by the family and expressing a concern that some of the souls had not been collected. So, he was someone who understood those things.”
The revelation of Mthethwa’s vision adds a complex layer to his passing, suggesting a man deeply connected to his heritage and spiritual beliefs. Friends and colleagues are still grappling with the shock of his sudden death, with many reflecting on his devotion to culture and tradition.
According to his associate, Mthethwa had shared the vision shortly after he went missing from his official Paris residence. He described seeing a light in the night while asleep, followed by the image of his late father, who called him to join him in the ancestral land.
“This confirms that he definitely spoke of his father calling him,” the associate said, emphasising that this was not a fabricated claim but a conversation they had firsthand.
The associate speculated that Mthethwa’s actions could have stemmed from either an ancestral calling or mental health struggles. While not definitive, these discussions with his inner circle provide insight into the diplomat’s state of mind in his final days.
As the nation mourns the loss of a prominent public servant and cultural advocate, Mthethwa’s family continues to honour his memory, embracing the traditions and values he cherished.
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