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Tributes flow for South Africa’s ‘moral compass’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died, age 90. Source: Getty

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the foremost in South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, has died aged 90. On December 26, 2021, Desmond Tutu passed, but not before leaving a colossal legacy.

Tributes for this great man have flown in from influential figures across the globe, since news of Archbishop Tutu’s death.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa shared dozens of tweets commemorating Desmond Tutu and his supreme influence on South Africa, saying:

“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.

“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead.”

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has released a statement about Archbishop Tutu’s passing, via the foundation’s chief executive Sello Hatang:

“The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu is immeasurable. He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies. He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time.”

This statement continues, you can read it here.

 

Pope Francis has also sent his condolences to the family and loved ones of Archbishop Desmond Tutu saying: ““His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu… Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his Holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God.”

Pope Francis contacted Archbishop Tutu’s family via telegramme saying that Archbishop Tutu’s familg via telegramme, saying his “promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa” was exemplary, and called upon “the divine blessings of peace and consolation of the Lord”.

 

Former US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Archbishop Tutu saying:

“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.

“He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”

 

Additionally, Sir Richard Branson has penned a heartfelt statement commemorating the life of Archbishop Tutu, saying:

“I’m so sad that Arch has passed away – the world has lost a giant. He was a brave leader, a mischievous delight, a profound thinker, and a dear friend.

It’s hard to express just how much of an inspiration Arch is to the world and to those fortunate to have crossed paths with him. When I think of people with the moral authority of the universe running through them, I think of Arch. He used his incredible moral courage to bridge divides and showed all of us how we have one common humanity.”

Branson’s statement continues, you can read it here.

Vale Archbishop Tutu, a true hero.

 

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