Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Ambassador Emmanuel Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 at KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, 12 October 2025.
Ambassador Mthethwa, who served as South Africa’s Head of Mission in Paris, France, passed away in the French capital on 30 September 2025, at the age of 58.
Mthethwa was appointed as Ambassador to France in December 2023, after serving in Cabinet for 15 years in the portfolios of Sport, Arts and Culture, as well as Police, and Safety and Security.
His tenure in the National Executive followed a lifetime of political involvement and leadership.
“On behalf of the government and the nation, President Ramaphosa reiterates his deepest condolences to Ambassador Mthethwa’s wife, Ms Philisiwe Buthelezi, and the extended Mthethwa and Buthelezi families,” said Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President.
“The President assures the families of the nation’s appreciation for the diverse roles in which Ambassador Mthethwa served the country.
“The Special Official Funeral Category 2 declared by President Ramaphosa will entail ceremonial elements performed by the South African Police Service.
“The President has also directed that the National Flag be flown half-mast from tomorrow morning, Thursday, 9 October 2025, until the evening of the funeral on Sunday, 12 October.”
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has appointed Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga to serve as Acting President of the Republic of South Africa.
Both President Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile are away.
The appointment is made in accordance with Section 90(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which provides for the delegation of Presidential authority when both the President and the Deputy President are unable to fulfil the duties of the office.
President Ramaphosa is undertaking an official visit to Ireland today, Wednesday, 8 October 2025, and will thereafter attend the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, on Thursday, 9 October 2025.
Deputy President Mashatile is on a Working Visit in South Sudan.
“During this period, Minister Motshekga will accordingly serve as Acting President of the Republic of South Africa,” Magwenya said.
