World leaders and the global community have paid tribute to the mourned the South African priest and human rights activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died yesterday, Sunday December 26, at the age of 90.
Tutu, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for Peace, was known for being a moral compass to the world, fighting against apartheid, racial injustice and homophobia.
His death was confirmed in a statement yesterday by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In his condolences to Tutu’s family and friends, Ramaphosa described him as “a patriot without equal.”
He said Tutu was “ a man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.”
In his tribute, the secretary general of UN, Mr. António Guterres, described the deceased as “an unwavering voice for the voiceless.”
He said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the anti-apartheid leader and human rights activist.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu – a towering global figure for peace & justice, voice of the voiceless & inspiration to people everywhere.
“We will continue to draw strength from his humanity, passion & resolve to fight for a better world for all.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 26, 2021
“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 praised Archbishop Tutu’s relentless determination to build global solidarity for a free and democratic South Africa, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
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,” said Mr. Guterres.
The UN scribe called 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.
“Although Archbishop Tutu’s passing leaves a huge void on the global stage, and in our hearts, we will be forever inspired by his example to continue the fight for a better world for all.”
For President Muhammadu Buhari, Tutu’s passing has further created a void in a world in dire need of wisdom, integrity, courage and sound reasoning, which were qualities that the Nobel Peace Prize Winner typified and exemplified in words and actions.
In his condolence message to Ramaphosa, South Africans and the global Christian body, particularly Anglican Communion, Buhari commiserated with Leah Tutu, the spouse of the spiritual leader and lifelong partner in the struggle against injustice, corruption and inequality, the Tutu family, board and staff of Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Elders and Nobel Laureate Group, urging solace that the voice of the scholar and teacher, his published works, and inspirational quotes will resonate through generations, bringing more light and clarity to religious diversity, democracy and good governance.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a condolence letter to the South African president said the news of Tutu’s demise got to him with the feeling of a sense of personal loss.
“It is with this same feeling that I write to commiserate with you, his family members, and the entire good people of South Africa on the passing of this great son of Africa. He had been a difference-maker for his family, his friends, his flock, his community, the Church, the Republic of South Africa, and, indeed, the world.
“Over the years, Reverend Tutu had shown focused, credible, bold, sensitive, and purposeful leadership not just to members of the Anglican Church but to all Christians. He had been part of building and strengthening the Anglican Church, and its eminent place in the Church system in South Africa today is not unrelated to his selfless service and leadership,” he wrote.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action – one who embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life. Even in our profound sorrow we give thanks for a life so well lived. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
In his tribute, the Spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama said: “The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the greater common good. He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights.”
World Council of Churches noted that “Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a unique character. His contagious sense of humour and laughter has helped to resolve many critical situations in South Africa’s political and church life. He was able to break almost any deadlock. He shared with us the laughter and grace of God many a time.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere described Tutu as “a great little man who showed the power of reconciliation and forgiveness … Tutu’s point was that injustice and abuse must not be forgotten, but that at the same time it must not be avenged if a society was to move on.”
For his part, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humour.”
Wasel Aabu Yyoussef, member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation remarked that “Father Desmond Tutu was one of the biggest supporters of the Palestinian cause. He had always advocated the rights of the Palestinians to gain their freedom and rejected Israeli occupation and Apartheid.”
British billionaire businessman Richard Branson noted that “The world has lost a giant. He was a brave leader, a mischievous delight, a profound thinker and a dear friend … He used his incredible moral courage to bridge divides and showed all of us how we have one common humanity.”
Senior official with Palestinian Islamist Militant Group Hamas Basim Naeem said: “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.”
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King said: “I’m saddened to learn of the death of global sage, human rights leader, and powerful pilgrim on earth … we are better because he was here.”
A number of other leaders and humanitarian figures paid tribute to Tutu and his legacy:
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. pic.twitter.com/qiiwtw8a5B
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 26, 2021
Bill Clinton
“Today, we are heartbroken to learn of the passing of a true servant of God and of the people, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. We send our deepest condolences to the people of South Africa who are mourning this great loss.”
“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.
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded us all that the search for justice begins in the heart. Those of us touched by the gift of his life owe it to him to pass it on.
“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 demonization 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.”
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 26, 2021
Tutu was ordained in 1961 and eventually became bishop of the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho, chairman of the South African Council of Churches, the first Black Anglican bishop of Johannesburg, and the first Black Anglican bishop of Cape Town.
Throughout the 1980s, Tutu was one of the most prominent Black South Africans speaking out against the country’s abuses, such as apartheid violence and a state of emergency that gave police and the military overwhelming power. He won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his work.
Tutu often worked with fellow Nobel laureate and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, who, after 27 years in prison during white rule, became South Africa’s first president in 1994. As president, Mandela appointed Tutu to be chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which revealed the abuses of the apartheid system. He was also vocal about the occupation of Palestine, accusing Israel of being guilty of apartheid.
As a religious leader, Tutu also campaigned internationally for LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage.
The former priest said he would not “worship a God who is homophobic” and in 2013 launched a campaign in Cape Town for LBGTQ rights.
His stance was controversial with many in his home country and in the Anglican Church.
