South Africa has started a week of mourning events for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the anti-apartheid icon described as the country’s moral compass.
Tutu, who died on Sunday aged 90, is remembered for his humour and characteristic smile – and above all his fight against injustices of all colours. As the country receives tribute from across the world, His body will lie in state for two days before his funeral is held on January 1, at Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral, his former parish.
The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been described as an unwavering voice for the voiceless by, among others, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres who praised Archbishop Tutu’s relentless determination to build global solidarity for a free and democratic South Africa.
“Archbishop Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to generations across the world. During the darkest days of apartheid, he was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent resistance,” he said in a statement.
He added that as Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Archbishop Tutu also made an immeasurable contribution to ensuring a peaceful, yet just, transition to a democratic South Africa. “His great wisdom and experience were always communicated with humanity, humour and heart,” the statement added.
The Secretary-General called Archbishop Tutu “a steadfast champion of multilateralism”, pointing to important roles he had, including as a distinguished member of the UN Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention, and on a High-Level Fact-Finding Mission to Gaza in 2008. In recent decades, Archbishop Tutu continued to fight passionately for action on poverty, climate change, human rights and HIV/AIDS, among others.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also lamented Archbishop Tutu’s passing. “While I will miss his presence, I celebrate his incredible life of service,” she wrote in a post on her official Twitter account. Archbishop Tutu was “always with a smile, always asking us to do our ‘little bit of good’, she recalled, before signing off with “R.I.P.”
US President Joe Biden said that in a tweet that he was heartbroken to learn of the passing of “a true servant of God and of the people.” While Vice President Kamala Harris said Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a fervent, vocal opponent of apartheid and committed champion of human rights. “He inspired millions, not just in South Africa, but worldwide to stand with those fighting for freedom and justice,” Harris said in a tweet.
Former US President Barack Obama hailed Tutu as a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass” Tutu was “a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass. “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 in a statement.
Meanwhile, Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta described Tutu as an African icon of freedom, peace, and reconciliation and termed his death a blow to Africa as a whole where he is deeply respected and celebrated as a peacemaker.
“Through his distinguished work over the years as a cleric, freedom fighter, and peacemaker, Archbishop Tutu inspired a generation of African leaders who embraced his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle,” Kenyatta said.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tutu was a “guiding light” for countless people globally. “His emphasis on human dignity and equality will be forever remembered. I am deeply saddened by his demise and extend my heartfelt condolences to all his admirers. May his soul rest in peace,’’ he said on Twitter.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema posted on Facebook describing the late cleric as a “gallant son of the African soil who fought against the injustices of humanity.” Hichilema said Tutu belonged to a generation of selfless African leaders that gallantly challenged the injustices of apartheid and racial subjugation against the African people in South Africa and other marginalized people around the world.
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said that with the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Africa has lost an icon, a father who fought injustice and oppression in all its forms and inspired a generation to strive for a more equal society.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS said Archbishop Tutu was a powerful voice in the fight against AIDS, combating denial, demanding access to treatment for all, calling out against discrimination of people living with HIV, and championing human rights for all. She added that his work on HIV and tuberculosis prevention and treatment changed global paradigms and saved many lives.
“A giant has fallen. Archbishop Tutu was a freedom fighter, a holy man, a great hero who played a history-shaping role in the liberation of Africa,” said Winnie Byanyima, “He was a leading light who brought global attention to injustice in a way few others could and a champion for the rights of all people living with and affected by AIDS. Millions are alive and free today because of the path he charted and the hope he brought to this world.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisations also used Twitter to send condolences to “the many people worldwide whose lives have been touched by the late DesmondTutu.” He said Archbishop Tutu was a peacemaker, a champion of justice and health equity and a man whose great wisdom was matched only by his love devotion to helping others.
The President of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, also took to Twitter to express his sorrow. “Deeply saddened to note the sad passing away of Archbishop Desmond Tutu who led a global campaign to end South Africa’s apartheid regime and then helped in healing the nation’s wounds,” he wrote. “Our heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of South Africa.”
Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), also joined the world and the people of South Africa in mourning Archbishop Tutu. Posting on Twitter, she described him as “a pillar of moral rectitude who taught all of us to walk the righteous path with truth, justice and forgiveness in our hearts.”
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, called him a man of “extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid”. Ramaphosa said Tutu’s death was “another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa”, after the country’s last apartheid-era president FW de Klerk died in November.
European leaders joined the chorus, with the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, calling him a “critical figure” in the struggle to create a new South Africa and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, saying Tutu had “dedicated his life to human rights and equality”.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II said Tutu’s death “deeply saddened” her, while the Vatican said Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones”.
In a condolence letter addressed to Tutu’s daughter Mpho Tutu, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama described Tutu as a “respected elder spiritual brother and good friend.” “He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights. His work for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was an inspiration for others around the world,’’ the Dalai Lama said.
He added that the world has lost a great man who lived a truly meaningful life. “He was devoted to the service of others, especially those who are least fortunate. I am convinced the best tribute we can pay him and keep his spirit alive is to do as he did and constantly look to see how we too can be of help to others,’’ the Tibetan spiritual leader added.
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