By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Graça Machel, the wife of former president Nelson Mandela, has described the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu as someone who lived every minute shaping the course of history.
Machel released a statement through the Graça Machel Trust on Sunday evening.
“To the young generations of South Africa, Southern Africa, and Africa – it is in your hands now to cultivate your own outstanding leadership to meet the challenges of your time,” said Machel.
“You have your own historic mission at hand. Take inspiration from Arch’s life to carve out your own legacy.
“Day by day, minute by minute, every step he took he was shaping the course of history. Every sentence he spoke impacted the lives of millions, and both unified and empowered those in the noble struggle against apartheid.
Arch passionately condemned apartheid and eloquently pressed for sanctions against the racist regime. In a style unique unto himself, he masterfully used his position as a cleric to mobilize South Africans, Africans, and the global community against the brutalities and immorality of the apartheid government,” reads the statement.
She said she remains hopeful that today’s youth will grow to understand the historic challenges Tutu and his generation faced during the apartheid government.
“It is my hope that the youth of today, who have not experienced the brutalities of Apartheid in the flesh, will grow to understand the historic challenges Arch and those of his generation faced, and how they navigated them to the best of their abilities under the complex circumstances which they found themselves,” she adds.
Meanwhile, Royal House of Mandela says the best tribute to Tutu is to find the moral compass of our nation and work for a better nation and a more just world.
In a statement, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Chief Mandla Mandela, said they salute Tutu and honour his brave fight for peace,justice and human rights for all.
He said they will remember him for his unconditional love.
“Most of all we shall remember him as a friend of the oppressed who believed that to be neutral in a situation of injustice is to support the oppressor. We shall never forget his unequivocal support for the Palestinian struggle. He deemed it no less significant than our own struggle in South Africa and he spared no words for those who perpetuate apartheid in occupied Palestine and who uphold and support the injustices and crimes against humanity unleashed against innocent Palestinians.”