WATCH: Tutu’s body arrives at St George’s Cathedral

The body of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, who has been accorded a Category 1 state funeral, will from today lie in state at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. 

His body will remain at the cathedral until he is cremated at his funeral service on Saturday, also at St George’s Cathedral. 

A large cortege arrived at the cathedral’s door around 9am.

ALSO READ: Mourning Archbishop Desmond Tutu: The week ahead

The number of mourners outside the cathedral continues to grow as people line up to pay their last respects, while adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

The Saturday funeral service will be officiated by Bishop Michael Nuttal, and will be led by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. 

Watch the coverage as the Arch’s body arrives at the cathedral, courtesy of SABC News, below.

Paying their last respects

Since Tutu’s death on 26 December, people across the country have paid their respects. 

In Cape Town, Table Mountain, City Hall and St George’s Cathedral have been illuminated in purple light to remember and honour Tutu’s legacy. 

Flowers have been placed outside the cathedral and condolence books have been made available to sign. 

ALSO READ: Here’s where Joburg residents can pay their last respects to Desmond Tutu

The interfaith memorial service was hosted by the City of Cape Town at City Hall on Wednesday evening, and on Thursday morning, the Johannesburg leg of the memorial service will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral. 

Here are venues across the country where other memorial services to honour Tutu will be taking place: 

• The Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman will be having an Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at St Cyprian’s Cathedral at 10am on Thursday.
• The Diocese of Pretoria will hold an ecumenical and interfaith service at 11am on Thursday at St Albans Cathedral.
• The Diocese of Johannesburg will also hold a memorial service in St Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg at 11am on Thursday.
• Archbishop Tutu IP Trust and the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation will host an event in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
• St Mary’s Cathedral in Gqeberha will hold a memorial service at 10am on Friday.