By Loxion News Staff Writer
South Africa is mourning the tragic death of Emmanuel Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa, the country’s ambassador to France and permanent delegate to UNESCO. The 58-year-old diplomat was found dead after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel in Paris.
According to French authorities, Mthethwa had been reported missing by his wife, who alerted police after receiving a distressing message from him on Monday evening.
Body Discovered After Hotel Fall
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Mthethwa’s body was discovered on Tuesday, ending a frantic overnight search. His phone had last pinged near the Bois de Boulogne, a large park in western Paris, leading police to deploy canine units to search the area.
Authorities said fears of a possible suicide prompted the search. However, his body was ultimately located at the Hyatt Hotel, where he is believed to have fallen from the 22nd floor.
French police have opened a formal investigation, led by the Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons (BRDP). A duty magistrate was dispatched to the scene, while family members have reportedly been questioned.
The 58-year-old was found dead outside the 4-star Hayatt Hotel in Paris
Distinguished Political and Diplomatic Career
Mthethwa’s death has been described as a “national loss” by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
In a statement, the department said:
“Ambassador Mthethwa was a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service in critical ministerial portfolios.”
Mthethwa began his career as an anti-apartheid trade unionist and rose through the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC). Between 2007 and 2022, he served on the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s highest decision-making body between conferences, as well as the National Working Committee (NWC).
On the national stage, he served as Minister of Arts and Culture (2014–2019) and later as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (2019–2023). In February 2024, he was appointed as South Africa’s Ambassador to France and permanent delegate to UNESCO.
His final public appearance was at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood commemoration in Longueval, France, just days before his passing.
Shockwaves at Home and Abroad
The South African embassy in Paris has yet to issue a statement, while French officials have not made public comments on the incident. The embassy was reportedly unreachable on Tuesday morning.
Condolences have poured in across political, diplomatic, and cultural circles, highlighting Mthethwa’s long-standing contributions to South Africa’s democracy, arts, and sports sectors.
As investigations continue, South Africa has lost not only an experienced diplomat but also a leader whose career reflected decades of service to the nation.
