Ancestral call or premonition? Inside Nathi Mthethwa’s final days in Paris

Nathi Mthethwa

Johannesburg – South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, reportedly told close associates shortly before his death that his deceased father was calling him to “join him in the ancestral land.”

According to one associate, Mthethwa mentioned seeing a bright light and his father’s image while asleep, saying this occurred a day after he went missing from his Paris residence, Sunday World reported.

“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 report quoted the associate as saying.

The associate suggested Mthethwa may have been grappling with an ancestral calling or mental distress, noting he had been discussing such spiritual experiences with his inner circle.

“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,” said the associate.

Family spokesperson Sfiso Buthelezi confirmed that while Mthethwa never shared these experiences with relatives, there was “nothing shameful” about them, describing him as deeply rooted in Zulu tradition and proud of his culture.

A government source also recalled Mthethwa’s deep knowledge of African history and tradition, noting that some of his past remarks now appear prophetic in light of his death.

Meanwhile, according to The South African, Mthethwa’s family, including his wife Philiswe Buthelezi, is in France arranging the repatriation of his body to South Africa.

They have obtained his death certificate and are awaiting final post-mortem results before proceeding, the report said.

Mthethwa is believed to have died after jumping from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris, where his body was found on the pavement below.

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