Examining weak narrative surrounding Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa's death

AT 30, South Africa is in a dark place, none that any would have anticipated in April 1994. While April 1993 had cast a dark spell over the country, it was Madiba stepping up to be a de facto president and reassured the nation that whilst peace does not suggest the absence of violence, peace at all material times is the trophy we should pursue.

- PALI LEHOHLA

THE tragic death of Nkosinathi Nathi Mthethwa. This writer reveals some personal interactions he had with the late South African ambassador to France. I Supplied

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Today, 30 years later, that dark spot of a suicide or assassin has revisited us. The question is will the leadership rise in this context and South Africa be granted respite to rise.

When the news of Ambassador Nkosinathi Nathi Mthethwa's death broke, I was not reminded of the story of the R22 million flag but rather one of a citizen-politician conversation that aimed at yielding important results.

One of significant national memorialisation through the Madiba prison key and the other one of a cultural platform for young Zwide who started a national movement of the Madiba Jive for Peace.

The brutal and untimely death whether self-inflicted through suicide or be it through a planned assassination of Mthethwa for whatever reason and his funeral, has seized the national psyche and for years to come might mark the turning moment for the nation. His funeral could invoke the "Beware the Ides of March and Marc Antony".

The deep irony of this scenario, however, is that Marc Antony is the man in uniform who triggered the investigation and the Madlanga Commission and has identified Mthethwa as one of the alleged wrong doers. Not only has he stuck to the truth, he at this moment of mourning raised the question of the perimeter wall that was erected around the late minister's house.

If this deep provocation and care coming out of the man in uniform does not cement the need for a different civil service for a different South African society then what will it be that does? Hitherto far from being known. He has stuck to the truth throughout.