When I first heard the news of Nathi's passing, I could not bring myself to believe it. How does one suddenly accept that a man so full of life — a brother, a comrade, a confidant — was gone? Even after official confirmation, it felt unreal. We cannot for our lives imagine Nyambose late – silent, still, and without a voice. We cannot still easily bring ourselves to refer to him in the past tense.
To lose Nyambose in such tragic circumstances is a wound that cuts deep; but the murky circumstances surrounding it all made it not only perplexing but even more painful. For me, Nyambose was not just Ambassador Mthethwa, Minister Mthethwa, or Comrade Mthethwa. He was Nathi, "Mnisi", Nyambose, Dingiswayo, Nkonyane — my friend, a brother with whom I shared decades of struggle, debate, laughter, and learning.
Our Journey Together
We met as young activists in the ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal. A few years older than me, he was already a trade unionist and youth activist. From those early days, his dedication to the struggle, political education, and organisation was unmatched. He worked tirelessly, first as the administrative secretary and then as regional secretary of the ANC Youth League during a very difficult time in KZN.
Nathi was fearless in debate and profoundly loyal as a friend. I often reflected on his courage and integrity during the difficult days in the ANC leading up to the Polokwane conference in 2007, where he was always steadfast in articulating his beliefs.
These bonds endured across decades, through both public service and personal milestones. When I resigned from Parliament in 2001, following the ANCYL's National Congress, he was the one chosen to take my place (in Parliament). I had the privilege of being part of his lobola negotiating team and his best man at his wedding. Seeing him with his wife and family revealed a devotion that extended to every part of his life. I was also one of the speakers for his first wedding anniversary as well as 50th birthday.
The Personal Side
Nathi was humble, unassuming, and full of warmth. He loved soccer, earning the nickname "Jazzman," and carried that playfulness into adult life. He loved African jazz and embraced laughter as a vital part of life.
Our walks through Durban, attending political meetings or heading to the beach, where his humour and love of life were always apparent - are etched in my memory. His devotion to friends and family was matched by his dedication to service.
Nyambose - The Calm in the Storm
I remember fondly how he and the eThekwini Mayor, Cyril Xaba, led our ANCYL delegation in peace talks with the IFP Youth Brigade in 1993 during what were very difficult talks between two organisations whose members had for a decade been at bloody loggerheads. Not only were they visionary and firm in leading us, they were steady in marshalling us towards the vision of peace, always reminding us that peace was in the best interests of the youth.
Because of their calmness, they were able to keep the meeting on course, calming us down with firmness and humour when the temperatures soared. In them, we had steady heads and hands at the helm, and assurance that the ideal of a united, peaceful and democratic South Africa would not be betrayed.
Sport, Arts, and Culture — A Perfect Match
Nathi's appointment as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture was a natural fit. His love for soccer and understanding of its power to unite and inspire made him excel in this role. He championed multi-purpose sports courts in schools, expanded the School Sport Programme, and launched initiatives supporting athletes' and artists' well-being.
He also played a key role on the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating how personal passion and public service could align. He once told me with a smile: "Football teaches patience, strategy, and teamwork — just like governance."
For Nathi, football was never just a game; it was a vehicle for identity, discipline, and opportunity. Few South Africans knew how seamlessly his love for sport complemented his ministerial responsibilities — a true match made in heaven.
Dedication to Public Service
In every position he held — from ANC Chief Whip in Parliament, Minister of Police, to Arts and Culture, to Ambassador — Nyambose carried out his duties with humility, singular mindedness and devotion. He never complained about assignments and consistently sought to serve South Africa with integrity.
His tenure as Ambassador to France reflected his commitment to international solidarity. He represented our country with dignity, wisdom, and a clear vision for advancing South Africa's interests in a complex global landscape.
Nathi the Intellectual and Historian
Few South Africans saw the depth of Nathi's intellect. He was a historian at heart, immersing himself in the political, economic, and military history of South Africa and the broader African continent. He believed history was not merely a record of the past but a guide for the present and future.
In his own words: "To understand where we come from is to chart a path to where we must go." This was not a casual reflection — it was a principle he applied in thought and action.
His lectures, including the Nat Nakasa Memorial Service in New York (2014) and the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture (2015), revealed a man whose scholarship and insight were admired locally and internationally. Nathi explored the struggles of oppressed peoples globally, from Palestine to Western Sahara, showing how deeply he connected local, continental, and global histories.
Nat Nakasa Memorial Service quote: "The act of reburial solidifies that which is a part of our heritage."
Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture quote: "To grow up in South Africa was to be aware of disparity in every aspect of your life, every last cell of your being."
He once told me during a discussion about political education: "Knowledge of our history is the first step towards true liberation." This was quintessential Nathi — deeply thoughtful, yet never detached from the struggles and realities around him.
Farewell
South Africa has lost more than a minister or ambassador. We have lost an intellectual, a historian, a thinker, and a human being who gave his all.
Farewell, my brother. Your voice will echo in our memories, your wisdom will guide us, and your laughter will remind us of the humanity that sustained you — and us — through it all. In the words of OR Tambo, whom you adored since our youth days, you were indeed "a colossus that was supremely human".
Your name will echo across the centuries; time will never erase your contribution to the struggle!
“The future is not an accident.”
Dr Malusi Gigaba is a Scholar-Statesman, an ANC NEC Member, a former Cabinet Minister of the Republic of South Africa, and a Member of Parliament.