By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:AP.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be cremated and his ashes will be interred at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.
This was announced by Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on Monday morning at a press briefing about the funeral arrangements for Tutu, who died on Sunday. Makgoba said Tutu’s funeral would be held at the cathedral at 10am on Saturday, January 1.
Tutu (90) suffered from prostate cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 1997. He was the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize.
South Africa holds week of services, events for Desmond Tutu:
Wednesday, Dec. 29:
— Ecumenical service to be held in Johannesburg, where Tutu had served as the first Black Bishop of Johannesburg in 1985.
— The City of Cape Town to hold an interfaith service for Tutu.
Thursday, Dec. 30:
— Interfaith service to be held in the capital, Pretoria, at St. Alban’s Cathedral.
— The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust will host a gathering in Cape Town.
Friday, Dec. 31:
— Tutu’s body to lie in state at St. George’s Cathedral as members of the public file past his coffin, “which will reflect the simplicity with which he asked to be buried,” Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba said in a statement.
— Tutu’s body will stay alone overnight in the cathedral, “a place which he loved,” according to Makgoba.
Saturday, Jan. 1:
— Requiem Mass at St. George’s Cathedral after which Tutu’s body will be cremated and his ashes interred at the cathedral’s mausoleum, according to his wishes.
Here are some of the many tributes for Desmond Tutu, a force for Harmony:
How Tutu’s family started planning for life after his death six years ago
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has revealed that the family of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu have been planning for his death and funeral arrangements for more than six years and are currently executing the plan to send him to his final resting place.
The Mpilo Plan, as it is called, was also shared with the government to assist in the planning after his death.
Makgoba said the family started drafting the document back in 2015 and copies of the document were given to the local, provincial and the national government.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu to receive a Category 1 State Funeral
President Cyril Ramaphosa says Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who died on Sunday at the age of 90, will receive a Category 1 State Funeral with religious characteristics.
Ramaphosa was one of the people who visited the Tutu family home on Monday at Milnerton in Cape Town to pay his respects.
Ramaphosa, who also addressed the media outside the home said the life of the Archbishop should be celebrated. He added Tutu played a huge role in promoting social cohesion in South Africa.
“Archbishop led millions of our people in the struggle against apartheid and when apartheid was defeated, he also led the process of reconciliation. And as he became concerned about some of the errors of the governing party, he spoke out. He was brave. He was forthright and we loved him just for that because he was a voice for the voiceless and he was a person who campaigned for justice.”
Ramaphosa has called on the public to take life lessons from the contributions of Archbishop Tutu.
This designation is enabled by the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual.
“The distinguishing features of a Special Official Funeral – Category 1 include ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force.
“On this particular occasion and based on the late Archbishop’s wishes, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) ceremonial content will be limited to the handing over of the National Flag to Mam Leah Tutu.”
As part of this funeral designation, the National Flag will be half-masted throughout the country and at South African diplomatic missions worldwide from sunset on 28 December 2022 until the evening of the funeral.
The funeral will be held in compliance with the provisions of the COVID-19 health regulations that apply under Adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national state of disaster.
Britain’s Prince Charles and Duchess Of Cornwall “My wife and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu whose bravery in speaking out against the evil of apartheid and highlighting the threat of climate change was an inspiration to us all.”
World Council of Churches
“His contagious sense of humour and laughter has helped to resolve many critical situations in South Africa’s political and church life. He was able to break almost any deadlock. He shared with us the laughter and grace of God many a time.”
One of the greatest most peaceful Souls has left the planet. A hope giver, peace maker, justice warrior. Thank you Archbishop Desmond Tutu ?? pic.twitter.com/HzyZHKiMef
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) December 26, 2021
Video Message from Graça Machel on the Passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Fedusa mourns the passing of Emeritus Desmond Tutu
FEDUSA devastated by the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply saddened and devastated by the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu on Sunday.
It is awe-inspiring that the Arch, a deeply religious man, and devout Christian should depart this world just after Christmas Day.
A glorious life spanning 90 years and spent fighting for social justice and the welfare of others is almost impossible to capture in a short tribute. At a time when occupying public office is seen by some among us as a prized goal – not to serve the people – but to loot and hide the loot for family and friends, the Arch was the conscience of our nation.
While we celebrate a life well-lived, we are all poorer without him. From the apartheid days and throughout the democratic era, the Arch never flinched from standing for what he believed was in the interest of the poor and from talking truth to power.
As FEDUSA and the entire working class, we will sorely miss his wise counsel and comforting voice.
FEDUSA would like to convey its heartfelt condolences to the Tutu family and may his kind soul rest in eternal peace.
Hindus offer condolences on Desmond Tutu’s death
Hindus have offered condolences on the death of Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu, who died on December 26 in Cape Town.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that they were saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an esteemed peace leader of high moral integrity and unwavering faith in human rights for all.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, noted that they appreciated and admired Tutu’s campaigns against apartheid, inequality, injustice; his commitment to improving the human condition, just struggle, non-violence, peaceful racial reconciliation, poverty eradication, righteousness; his encouraging of forgiveness, inclusion and tolerance.
Rajan Zed further said they also commended the moral and principled leadership and solid moral convictions of Tutu; a great humanitarian and human rights champion; and his efforts at spreading compassion and love.
Honouring Archbishop Desmond Tutu, An Advocate and Believer in Humanity
With deep sadness, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) marks the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an iconic freedom fighter and defender of tolerance whose love comforted, inspired, and empowered millions of people in his native South Africa and around the world for generations.
For advocates and people affected by HIV/AIDS, Archbishop Tutu holds a special place as a fearless leader who never shied away from speaking the truth even when it clashed with politics or religion.
At a time when the South African government was refusing to acknowledge the reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping the country in the early 2000s and the efficacy of antiretroviral treatment, Archbishop Tutu famously said in a sharp rebuke of then-president Thabo Mbeki: “Apartheid tried to destroy our people and apartheid failed. If we don’t act against HIV/AIDS, it may succeed, for it is already decimating our population.”
Archbishop Tutu was also unequivocal in his condemnation of homophobia even though his views clashed with the Anglican Church to which he belonged.
He quipped that: “If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn’t worship God.”
In 1984, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his human rights and anti-Apartheid activism.
“Africa has lost a beloved champion and staunch defender of human rights who was never afraid of saying what needed to be said even if doing so put his own life in danger,” said AHF Africa Bureau Chief Dr Penninah Iutung.
“Though soft spoken and often witty, Archbishop Tutu always faced injustice with unparalleled courage and conviction of a man of faith, whether it was racism, HIV/AIDS discrimination, homophobia, or economic inequality.
“Perhaps the best way to honour Archbishop Tutu’s memory is to embrace his commitment to resilience and compassion for humanity as we find ourselves in the middle of another pandemic.”
Throughout the years following the start of AHF’s first international treatment program in Durban, South Africa in 2001, Archbishop Tutu lent his voice to support AHF advocacy efforts several times, most notably by addressing the Keep the Promise March on Washington during the International AIDS Conference in 2012 via a video message and by asking his daughter Mpho Tutu to speak on his behalf at the historic Keep the Promise March in Durban, South Africa in 2016.
Today, Archbishop Tutu’s legacy as an AIDS activist continues with the work of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, which was one of the first public clinics to provide anti-retroviral treatment in Cape Town, and through the lives of countless people he inspired to affirm life and truth.
“A prince of a man has passed. Archbishop Tutu’s impact on history went far beyond South Africa,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein.
“He was a consistent voice for freedom and understanding. On many occasions he answered the call when AHF asked for his support. He will be sorely missed.”
Tutu survived by his wife Leah, their children, Trevor, Theresa, Naomi and Mpho, and his sister Gloria.