Nathi Mthethwa’s wife: Who is woman he left a ‘suicide note’ for?

Hours before he was discovered dead in an apparent suicide on Tuesday, 30 September, former minister Nathi Mthethwa – South Africa’s Ambassador to France – texted his wife Philisiwe Buthelezi of his plans to end his life.

The concerned businesswoman reported her spouse as missing moments later. His body was found in the interior courtyard of the Hyatt hotel.

Mthethwi’s tragic demise brought an end to the couple’s relationship, which began almost two decades ago.

LAST TEXT, SUICIDE NOTE

According to the Paris Prosecuting Office, Nathi Mthethwa last saw his wife on Monday afternoon, where he planned to attend an official event.

The former minister of police proceeded to reserve a room for himself on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel in Paris. There, he allegedly plied a sealed window open and plunged to his death.

Before the tragedy, Mthethwa’s wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, received a “worrying” text from her husband.

“He apologised to her and expressed his intention to end his life”, public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement.

Buthelezi alerted authorities to her husband’s possible suicide. The next day – Tuesday – the 58-year-old’s body was discovered inside the courtyard of the Hyatt Hotel. He is believed to have jumped off the 22nd floor of the hotel.

According to French authorities, Nathi Mthethwa left his wife a suicide letter.

The circumstances of his death are under investigation.

WHO IS NATHI MTHETHWA’S WIFE?

Nathi Mthethwa met Philisiwe Bhuthelezi in 2008 at the launch of the ANC manifesto. 

The couple wed in a grand French-themed wedding in 2013. The celebration also marked Bhuthelezi’s 50th birthday.

Guests to the lavish event in Franschoek included billionaire businessmen Robert Gumede, Vivian Reddy, and his wife Sorisha Naidoo, and former president Jacob Zuma were among the guests at the lavish event in Franschoek.

The wedding – which featured on Top Billing – was a fusion of the couple’s love of both Africa and France. Buthelezi had not one, but three designer dresses.

Mthethwa said of his bride: “I’ve always been attracted to her beauty. But she’s not just beautiful – she’s so intelligent and accomplished. She’s the whole package”.

Months after their star-studded wedding, Nathi Mthethwa’s wife Philisiwe Buthelezi accused a close friend of trying to “sabotage my marriage” because “she had her eyes on him”.

In 2016, the Democratic Alliance claimed that Buthelezi – then the CEO of the National Empowerment Fund – had spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer money on business class flights, five-star hotel accommodation and travel expenses for three international trips.

Hon. Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture and his wife Ms Philisiwe Mthethwa, CEO of the NEF, attending the coronation of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. pic.twitter.com/q24j17QO3V

— THE NEF (@NEFCORP) October 29, 2022

The low-profile couple would continue to make appearances on the red carpet of every annual State of the Nation (SONA) event.