By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has died at the age of 90.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia De Lille said she was among those who were assisting the family in his final hours.
“He looked so peaceful. He just closed his eyes.”
“Mama Leah was there. She was lying next to him in the bed.”
Police cordoned off the road and field outside Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s Cape Town home in anticipation of people arriving to place flowers and messages of sympathy.
Motorists passing the house on the R27 in Milnerton slowed down and hooted, as authorities rushed to put out no stopping signs.
Tributes continue to pour for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Former president Thabo Mbeki has paid to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The dean of St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town has described the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s legacy as one of moral strength.
Michael Weeder paid tribute to Tutu during morning mass on Sunday, saying: “Desmond Tutu’s legacy is moral strength, moral courage and clarity. He felt with the people. In public and alone, he cried because he felt people’s pain.”
Weeder added Tutu also laughed with delight when he shared people’s joy.
“The Arch did not just preach the word, but he also lived it,” Storey said.
He added Tutu was committed to justice and the truth. “We grieve, not only South Africa, but with the rest of the world.”
The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) said Tutu was a friend who had shared many platforms with its late president, Sheikh Nazeem Mohamed, during the struggle against apartheid.
The MJC said it would remember Tutu as one of the strongest voices and critics of apartheid Israel.
“He is remembered for saying, ‘I have witnessed the systemic humiliation of Palestinian men, women and children by members of the Israeli security forces’.
UN chief hails Tutu as ‘inspiration to generations’
South Africa’s late Desmond Tutu was an inspiration to generations worldwide and an “unwavering voice for the voiceless,” United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said on Sunday.
“Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world,” the secretary-general said in a statement, joining a chorus of tributes to the icon whose tireless fight against injustice helped his nation break its shackles of racism.
“During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance,” Guterres said of Tutu, who died Sunday at age 90.
Statement from President Clinton on the Passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s life was a gift. Blessed with brilliance and eloquence, steady determination and good humor, and an unshakeable faith in the inherent decency of all people, Archbishop Tutu fully embodied the spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.”
That spirit drove him to fight first for freedom and then for reconciliation.
As Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he helped bring healing to his country and reminded us all that the search for justice begins in the heart.
His own heart was good enough to seek reconciliation not revenge, to reject demonisation and embrace his uncanny ability to bring out the best in others. Those of us touched by the gift of his life owe it to him to pass it on.
Hillary and I send our prayers to Leah, his family, and all those who stood with him.
Former US President Barrack Obama
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.
“A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere,” Obama said, adding that Tutu sought to “find humanity in his adversaries.”
FW De Klerk Foundation.
The FW de Klerk Foundation and Mrs Elita de Klerk were deeply saddened by the announcement this morning of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
For much of the past five decades, Archbishop Tutu was South Africa’s moral compass.
A fearless and outspoken critic of apartheid, he nevertheless consistently advocated non-violent change.
During the turmoil of the 1980s he continued to lead the struggle against apartheid through the role that he played as a patron of the United Democratic Front.
He believed in the humanity of all people and bravely intervened to save a potential victim from being killed by necklacing.
He led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with distinction and believed passionately in South Africans as the “Rainbow Nation of God”.
After 1994 he continued to speak out for the rights of all South Africans and was a bitter critic of state capture.
He richly deserved the Nobel Peace Prize that he was awarded in 1984. South Africa will miss his impish wit and his consistent advocacy for justice and reconciliation.
African National Congress (ANC)
The ANC said on Sunday,South Africa has lost a tower of moral conscience and an epitome of wisdom paying tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
The party added Tutu dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa and led tirelessly from the front for the liberation of the country.
“During his tenure as the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission [TRC], Archbishop Tutu pulled no punches in condemning the atrocities committed by the apartheid regime and its architects against black South Africans.
“Following the fall of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu campaigned for gay rights and spoke on a wide range of subjects, among them the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and conscientised the world about climate change.
“He retired from public life in 2010. Indeed, the big baobab tree has fallen. South Africa and the mass democratic movement have lost a tower of moral conscience and an epitome of wisdom,” the ANC said in a statement.
The SACP sent its condolences to the Tutu family, saying although it would remember Tutu for his work at the TRC; years have passed without agents of the apartheid regime being prosecuted.
Azapo said many people would not know that Tutu played an active role in the Black Consciousness movement, specifically black theology.
“He was one of the first patrons of the National Forum back in 1993. He was, however, not without controversy, especially with regard to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which did not follow up on the prosecution of the murders of Steve Biko, doctors Fabian Robert Ribeiro and his wife Florence, the Cradock Four and the Mxenge family, among many.
“The commission was very instrumental in facilitating national cohesion but left the victims of the apartheid government still landless and without economic transformation. While we commend and lament his contribution to society respectively, we do wish to offer our condolences to the Tutu family,” it added.
Cosatu said Tutu sacrificed a lot and dedicated his life not just to free and serve his people but to also build a truly united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.
The Elders
Mary Robinson, chair of The Elders, a group of global leaders working for peace and human rights, said “we are all devastated at the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu”.
“He inspired me to be a ‘prisoner of hope’, in his inimitable phrase,” said Robinson, who is also the former president of Ireland.
The Elders, of which Tutu was a founding member, said in a statement they “lost a dear friend, whose infectious laugh and mischievous sense of humour delighted and charmed them all”.
“We are all devastated at the loss,” it said in a statement Sunday.
“The world has lost an inspiration – but one whose achievements will never be forgotten, and whose commitment to peace, love and the fundamental equality of all human beings will endure to inspire future generations.”
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Tutu’s passing was “a big blow not only to the Republic of South Africa where he leaves behind huge footprints as an anti-apartheid hero but to the entire African continent where he is deeply respected and celebrated as a peacemaker”.
“Archbishop Tutu inspired a generation of African leaders who embraced his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle,” he said.
Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director of Oxfam International, said: “All of Oxfam is united in grief at the passing of Archbishop Tutu. We express our deepest condolences to the Archbishop’s wife Leah, their children and grandchildren. We express our condolences to the South African people.
“Rarely does a name inspire so much courage as that of Archbishop Tutu’s. The flame that Archbishop Tutu carried against injustice lit a million more. The world is a better place because of him.
“Archbishop Tutu was and remained a friend to Oxfam – and a critical friend when needed, too. He was Oxfam’s former global ambassador – raising global attention and tackling issues with us including on global hunger to the climate crisis. Most recently he gave his support to tackling the issue of global vaccine inequity. Oxfam’s own role in supporting the anti-apartheid movement forges our own connection with his generation of leaders, who guide us today.”
DA leader John Steenhuisen said a true South African giant had left us today. “Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu left an indelible mark on the fabric of South African society, having played a key role in ending Apartheid and in the peaceful transition to constitutional democracy through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. For almost three decades since, he has been a voice of reason and compassion against poverty, racism, xenophobia and corruption, and for human development. When we lost our way, he was the moral compass that brought us back.”
Premier Alan Winde on the passing of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
It is with great sadness that we have today learned of the passing of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
I share the immense sorrow that South Africans across our country are feeling at the loss of this truly remarkable human being, who had such a profound impact on our country and its future.
Our “Arch” has throughout his life been a shining light for justice, compassion and for kindness, and through his actions inspired me and many others worldwide to have hope that right will prevail over wrong. While he may have left us now, his light still shines brightly.
It is up to each and every one of us to ensure it does so, by being the warriors for justice, for peace and for kindness that he was throughout his life.
On behalf of the people of the Western Cape province, and my own family, I offer my condolences to his dear wife, Leah, his family and loved ones. We have you in our thoughts and prayers during this time of grief.
“He was never afraid to call out human rights violators no matter who they were and his legacy must be honoured by continuing his work to ensure equality for all.”
Reverend Frank Chikane has expressed his condolences to Mama Leah and the Tutu children. “At 90, Archbishop Desmond Tutu played his role. We thank God for his life. I think he is worth celebrating. I call on the nation not to mourn but to celebrate his life,” he said.
Statement by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
A city and a nation in mourning at the loss of our beloved “Arch”
Today our city and our nation has lost our beloved “Arch”. It is with great sadness that we bid farewell today to a man whose life was a living blessing to us all. Archbishop Desmond Tutu shaped South Africa for the better in ways that very few have done or will do.
I know I speak for the whole city in conveying our deep condolences to Mama Leah, the entire Tutu family, and to his extended family in the global Anglican Church.
We mourn the passing of the greatest Capetonian, and one of the last giants of our time. The Arch and Madiba were a formidable pair who together served as South Africa’s moral compass and vocal and critical conscience. Their unforgettable partnership will leave a lasting legacy in helping to heal the wounds of our country.
While we mourn the passing of the Arch, we also celebrate the powerful and uplifting impact that he had on our country, our world, and on all of our lives.
In Cape Town, we will honour the Arch’s memory in our dedication to our higher purpose of building the society he committed his life to – a society of unity, healing, dignity, and care
A detailed memorial plan will be announced with the Church and the family later today.
GOOD secretary general Brett Herron said: “Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a role-model who embodied the ancient wisdoms of the golden rule of human reciprocity (do unto others…) and Ubuntu (I am a person through other people) but nonetheless strode the earth ahead of his time. He dared to paint a picture of inclusivity, tolerance, dignity and justice – in an era in which humanity was careening towards social and environmental injustice on tidal waves of greed, inequality and division. He wasn’t naïve. He understood that all people have weaknesses and vulnerabilities, for which he was generally very forgiving. But he described himself as a prisoner of hope.”
“Our Palestinian people lost a strong supporter of their march towards freedom and independence. Father Desmond Tutu spent his entire life struggling against racism and defending human rights and especially on the Palestinian land.”
– Basim Naeem, senior official in Palestinian grouping Hamas.
Former personal assistant to former president Nelson Mandela Zelda La Grange conveyed her condolences to Aunt Leah, the Tutu family, friends and all people who loved and highly regarded Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“It is also with a sense of deep gratitude that I bid farewell to Arch, a father and mentor to everyone who sought to learn from his principled life; a life of unashamed ethics and integrity.
He made the world a kinder and gentler place wherever he walked and showed us that through seeking the truth and redemption we can heal ourselves and that one can only be forgiven if you first forgive yourself.
I can hear Madiba greet his good friend ‘oh Mpilo you are here’ and how they continue to tease each other with their sharp sense of humour.
I am grateful for having had the opportunity and time to remind the Arch how deeply loved and appreciated he was.”
IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said Archbishop Tutu served his country with utmost commitment. “Today our nation has been thrust into mourning as we receive the unexpected news of the passing of a beloved South African icon, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
On behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and to all South Africans. Archbishop Tutu served his country with utmost commitment. He was a man of faith and strong convictions who sought freedom for the oppressed.
His contribution to the liberation struggle will forever be honoured in the telling of history, and his pursuit of reconciliation between black and white will stand as his life’s testimony. As we grieve this great loss, Archbishop Tutu will be honoured for his humanity, his compassion and his capacity for forgiveness.
He represented exactly what was needed as our country, and the world, transitioned from racial injustice to deepening democracy. We are grateful for his life and his service.”
Rest in Peace Achbishop Desmond Tutu. Our hearts go out to Mam’ Leah Tutu and the family. ‘Do a little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world’. ??
pic.twitter.com/7gnEOJ8INl— Ndlovu Youth Choir (@ChoirAfrica) December 26, 2021
Rest in peace, lala ngoxolo, robala ka khotso, robala ka kgotso, tsamaya hantle, robala ka khotso, vha edele nga mulalo, rus in vrede, Etlela hiku rhula, Motaung oa ha boHlalele.