South African Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa reportedly had a premonition of his own death, a close associate has revealed.
The former minister tragically ended his life this week after allegedly jumping from the 22nd floor of his hotel room in Paris.
Mthetwa’s family had disputed claims of his reported suicide. However, his wife Philisiwe Buthelezi – whom he left a “suicide note” for – stated that she was not contesting French authorities’ investigations into his death.
NATHI MTHETHWA HAD ‘DEATH PREMONITION’
According to a close associate, Nathi Mthethwa had a “death premonition” in the days leading up to his alleged suicide.
The source told Sunday World that Mthethwa had a vision that his deceased father was “calling him”
The source said: “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”.
According to the source, Nathi Mthewa’s reported suicide could be a result of his poor mental health or possibly ignoring an ancestral calling.
“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,” the source added.
‘FETCHING HIS SPIRIT’
Meanwhile, Nathi Mthetwa’s family is in France arranging his body’s repatriation to South Africa.
The family – including wife Philiswe Buthelezi – has secured a death certificate and are awaiting the final post-mortem results before getting the go-ahead.
Mthethwa’s brother, Khulekani, told media that a representative was also en route to “fetch” his sibling’s “spirit” from where he took his life.
Mthethwa is believed to have jumped from the 22nd floor of his hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris, France.
His body was found on the pavement below.
In line with a Zulu custom called “ukulanda umoya,” traditional healer Nobantu Sithathu, known as “Gogo Nkonjane,” explained the significance behind it.
Images via X
She told IOL: “It’s important that the spirit is fetched from the place where the person passed away. A person is more than just a body – they are a spirit”.
She continued: “They will perform a ritual at the place where he died, to let his spirit know it’s being taken from the place where it left his body.
“From there, it will be guided to the mortuary, then brought home to the family. And finally to his burial place”.
