National Assembly Speaker Didiza pays tribute to Mthethwa following his passing in Paris

KLEINMOND - National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has paid tribute to South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, saying the manner in which the country learnt of his death was unfortunate.

French media reported that Mthethwa had died at a Paris hotel before government officially announced his death on Tuesday afternoon, following earlier reports that he had gone missing.

Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 gathering of parliamentarians in Kleinmond in the Western Cape, Didiza reflected on Mthethwa’s long legacy as a parliamentarian between 2002 to 2024.

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She said that having joined parliament in his thirties, he influenced the way government considered youth matters.

"He was one of those members of Parliament who actually shaped government’s focus on youth development, which in my view has actually helped South African young people to have activists and voices within the legislature that would advocate for work for young people."

Didiza has sent condolences to Mthethwa’s wife, Phelisiwe Buthelezi, and their children.

"As the Speaker of the National Assembly, we really want to say we acknowledge and recognise the role that he played during his tenure as a member of Parliament of South Africa."