Late Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa Lookalike Sparks Frenzy With Viral Photos
- An X user posted photos from Hartbeespoort's Upside Down House on 11 October 2026, unknowingly sparking a social media frenzy
- A fellow netizen noticed a striking resemblance between the man in the photos and late politician Nathi Mthethwa
- Hundreds of South Africans flooded the comments section, with many convinced the two could easily be mistaken for each other
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Photos of an X user visiting a popular Hartbeespoort tourist attraction set off an unexpected social media moment on 11 October 2026, after fellow netizens spotted a striking resemblance to late politician Nathi Mthethwa.
Source: Getty Images
Edward ThembaSa had posted a series of images taken at the Upside Down House in Hartbeespoort. The post attracted little attention initially, until user @MakofaneDimphoo reposted the images and pointed out the uncanny likeness between Edward and Mthethwa.
South Africans weigh in on the resemblance
The repost quickly gathered momentum, with dozens of users agreeing that Edward could easily pass for the late ambassador.
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@MakofaneDimphoo wrote:
"Close enough, why is your family moving to France?"
@carol_seabi said:
"I also thought it was a young throwback."
@ThatZeeZee commented:
"I thought nguye nyani [it was really him]."
@masenyamakola wrote:
"Heban, uyena! Nathi Mthethwa."
@D_Molatoli added:
"No man, you look too much like Nathi Mthethwa."
@Lecheadi quipped:
"You couldn't wait a little longer before you resurfaced."
@QondileKM simply stated: "Uyena [it's him]."
Mthethwa's death and rumours of family moving to France
The references to France in many of the comments relate to Mthethwa's final years. The seasoned politician served as South Africa's ambassador to France following his time as a cabinet minister, and he lived there with his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi.
Mthethwa died in France in September 2025 after reportedly falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel.
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.
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.
In October 2026, rumours began circulating that Mthethwa's family would be relocating back to France, which appeared to inform the tone of several comments on the viral post.
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.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
