Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, South Africa’s ambassador to France, was discovered deceased at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The 55-year-old diplomat’s body was found hours after his wife reported him missing, prompted by a concerning text message she received from him.
French media outlets, including Le Parisien and Le Figaro, reported that Mthethwa is believed to have fallen from the 22nd floor of the high-rise hotel located near the Porte Maillot metro station.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, with initial indications pointing toward a possible suicide, though no official cause has been confirmed yet.
Mthethwa had a distinguished career in South African politics before his diplomatic posting. He served as the Minister of Arts and Culture from 2014 to 2019 and later as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture from 2019 to 2023.
Appointed as ambassador to France in 2023, he was known for his contributions to cultural and sporting initiatives in his home country.
The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed the ambassador’s passing in an official statement, expressing deep sorrow and extending condolences to his family.
“The Government of South Africa extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ambassador Mthethwa during this difficult time,” the statement read.
DIRCO noted that the French authorities are handling the investigation and that further details would be shared as they become available.
Paris police have declined to comment on the ongoing probe, and representatives from the South African Embassy in Paris and the Hyatt Regency hotel have also refrained from providing statements.
The incident has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, with tributes pouring in for Mthethwa’s legacy in public service.
As the investigation continues, officials have urged the public to respect the privacy of the family amid this tragedy. Updates are expected from both South African and French authorities in the coming days.
