Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran of South Africa’s activist, dies aged 90
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the veteran of South Africa’s activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate died aged 90.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and in recent years he had been hospitalized several times to treat infections associated with his cancer treatment.
Regarded as a tireless activist, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for combatting white minority rule in South Africa.
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.
Tutu coined and popularised the term “Rainbow Nation” to describe South Africa when Mandela became president in 1994.
At the time, Tutu was serving as the first black Anglican archbishop of Cape Town.
Desmond Tutu was appointed archbishop in 1986 after being ordained at the age of 30, he used his position to advocate for international sanctions against apartheid, and later to lobby for rights globally.
Condolence messages from all over the world are pouring in on social media following the news of Tutu’s demise.
Such sad news this morning – the world has lost a shining star of hope & humanity – but his spirit will live on
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) December 26, 2021
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor"
RIP Desmond Tutu https://t.co/s4YxykT8tA
READ:
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 26, 2021
Full Presidency statement on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“We pray that Archbishop Tutu’s soul will rest in peace but that his spirit will stand sentry over the future of our nation.” pic.twitter.com/suzfgzVbzl
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2021
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness”.
— Vanessa Nakate (@vanessa_vash) December 26, 2021
Archbishop Desmond Tutu pic.twitter.com/RxH8IOD98x
Desmond Tutu – a giant who challenged white minority rule, pioneered restorative justice when apartheid fell, and known for his soaring hope and laughter even in the darkest times.https://t.co/X0UM0Xs4Es
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) December 26, 2021
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) December 26, 2021
― Desmond Tutu#RIPDesmondTutu