The Net Worth of Former Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa: A Detailed Look
- The sudden passing of former Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa in France has left both the sporting world and political circles in shock
- His career stretched from government to diplomacy, with a legacy that touched South African sport at some of its most defining moments
- At the time of his death, questions about his personal wealth and financial standing added another layer of public interest to his life story
Former Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa passed away on 30 September 2025 in France, where he was serving as South Africa’s ambassador.
He was found dead outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris after being reported missing the previous evening. Reports indicated that he had sent troubling messages to his wife before his disappearance.
Source: Getty Images
Mthethwa served as Sports Minister from 2019 to 2023 and previously sat on the board of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee, which played a key role in delivering one of South Africa’s proudest moments on the global stage.
His tenure was marked by support for grassroots development, cultural integration in sport, and political boycotts of events tied to human rights concerns.
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Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the country. Former SABC sports presenter Walter Mokoena described his passing as “absolute shock,” while the Premier Soccer League confirmed a minute of silence would be observed before all matches over the weekend.
Nathi Mthethwa’s net worth at death
Estimating Nathi Mthethwa’s net worth in 2025 is difficult due to limited public disclosures, but reports suggest it stood at roughly R1.25 million (about USD $70,000) at the time of his death.
His ambassadorial salary was around R1.5 million annually, with additional pensions from his ministerial roles ranging between R800,000 and R1 million per year.
The late politician’s assets included a family home in Pretoria valued at an estimated R2 million to R3 million after renovations, as well as official vehicles and allowances tied to his government positions. Unlike some of his peers, no major private business interests were linked to his name.
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Family wealth and lifestyle
While Mthethwa’s personal fortune was relatively modest for a long-serving politician, his family’s overall financial stability was supported by his wife, Philisiwe Mthethwa, who serves as CEO of the National Empowerment Fund with an annual salary exceeding R2 million.
Source: Getty Images
Past controversies, such as a 2012 probe into a slush fund, raised questions about his financial dealings, but no convictions or findings significantly reduced his assets. By most accounts, Mthethwa lived a comfortable but not extravagant life.
At his passing, Nathi Mthethwa’s wealth reflected a career rooted in public service rather than private accumulation, leaving behind a financial legacy defined by stability rather than luxury.
Inside the Sports Minister's lifestyle
Briefly News previously reported that Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie was once a gangster and a convict.
McKenzie built a reputation as a hustler, businessman and author, and now, a politician with influence. But beyond politics, it’s his lifestyle, cars and net worth that often dominate the conversation.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
