South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Mthethwa, Dies in Suspected Suicide in Paris
South Africa is mourning the sudden death of its ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Mthethwa, who was found dead in Paris in what French authorities have described as a suspected suicide.
The 58-year-old diplomat is believed to have fallen from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel, according to French daily Le Parisien. His wife had alerted authorities after receiving a troubling message from him on Monday evening. Investigators later traced his phone to the Bois de Boulogne before confirming his death.
Mthethwa’s passing casts a shadow not only over his family, who now grieve a husband and father, but also over South Africa’s political and diplomatic circles. Having served as a cabinet minister in key portfolios including Police, Safety and Security, and Sports, Arts and Culture. Mthethwa played a central role in shaping post-apartheid governance. His recent posting to Paris, where he also represented South Africa at UNESCO, underscored his stature in foreign affairs.
French police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death, while tributes pour in from colleagues who remember him as a seasoned leader and cultural advocate. Behind the official statements, however, his death also brings attention to the silent toll of stress and mental health struggles often borne by public servants under the weight of political responsibility.
Mthethwa’s loss leaves South Africa grappling with the sudden absence of a veteran statesman whose career spanned Parliament, Cabinet, and international diplomacy.
