The widow of the late Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa, Philisiwe Mthethwa, dabbed her eyes when a relative read out her farewell message to the love of her life at the special official funeral held in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Relatives and friends in the struggle paid tribute to a man who was cultured, kind, nurturing and courageous.

The pain of his death, falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris was still too much for Philisiwe and her daughters to speak about in public.

Nathi, the family man, has been described as someone who nurtured his loved ones, laughter echoing in the house, the calm in the storm.

Philisiwe, who married the love of her life 12 years ago asked a relative to read the moving tribute she wrote to him.

“I cannot ask God why for love this great can never be explained nor measured by time. I ask only that he cradle you gently, that he keeps you close until the day I may be in your midst again. You are my sunshine, my eternal flame, and though death has hidden you from my eyes, nothing can quench the fire you’ve lit in my soul,” read Nolitha Fakude.

His son, Mkhululi says his father taught him and his siblings to be their own person and did his best to prepare them for the realities of the world.

He says he taught them humility, strength and pride, values rooted in their family’s historical link to King Dingiswayo.

“You have been a shining example to your children, the grandchildren, the community, our nation and the world at large. Hamba Kahle, Nkonyane! Mthethwa! Mthethwa! Mthethwa! Mthethwa!”

Mkhululi says his sisters’ legs are still too weak to speak in public about their loss. On the way back to his chair, he stopped to give his mother a hug.

LIVE STREAM | Special Official Funeral for SA Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa: