ANC holds memorial service upon arrival of Nathi Mthethwa's remains

The African National Congress (ANC) is currently holding a memorial service in Empangeni, north of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in honour of the late Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa.

The 58-year-old’s remains officially touched down on home soil today and were received at the King Shaka International Airport this afternoon by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Mthethwa died in Paris last week, and the cause of his passing is still under investigation.

This evening, dozens of ANC supporters in the province are honouring his life and times ahead of his funeral on Sunday.

ANC supporters and leaders have packed the Empangeni Town Hall in northern KZN to pay tribute to the life of their late leader.

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The party says Mthethwa is being remembered for his role in the underground unit during the apartheid era, especially in KZN, something which the party has hailed him for.

ANC Second Deputy Secretary General, Maropene Ramakgopa, shared his sentiments: “He made sure that he reminds us what the movement is all about, he didn’t only do that but he also encouraged and reminded us all the time that whatever it is that is happening in the movement and the country as well, we must lead from the front and we must never give up.”

Mthethwa’s remains will be kept at a mortuary in Empangeni from tonight.

He will be laid to rest in a Category 2 Official Special Funeral on Sunday in KwaMbonambi, north of the province.