An unparalleled life of prodigious eminence, incredulous faith and irrepressible resilience came to epitomise the iconic Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu. After 90 years of existence, Archbishop Tutu bade farewell to our planet on 26 December 2021.
Upon learning of his death, president Cyril Ramaphosa solemnly intimates: “A great man of extraordinary intellect, sheer 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 for the oppressed and downtrodden people around the world. He placed his extensive academic achievements at the service of our liberation struggle and at the service of the cause for social and economic justice the world over.”
From 1960 until 1994, Tutu contributed massively to the liberation struggle against the vestiges of Apartheid. First ordained as a priest in 1960, he used his religious mantle to advocate for equality and justice in apartheid South Africa. From 1978 until 1985 Tutu served as the most outspoken General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. Religious titans such as Archbishop Tutu and Father Trevor Huddleston made the most powerful contribution to the service of humankind.
From the church pulpits and biblical injunctions, Tutu entered the dangerous fray of politics and infuriated the ire of apartheid leaders. In 1984, then president Pik Botha secretly endorsed the State Security Council’s (SSC’s) plot to assassinate the “the troublesome Tutu”. On three occasions in Lesotho and Botswana between 1984 and 1985, the SSC failed to execute an assassination order against the Archbishop. Owing to his rising global eminence and majestic prominence, the Apartheid regime became fearfully reluctant to assassinate him. In 1986, Tutu received the world-revered Nobel Peace Prize for his extraordinary tenacity and indomitable contributions against Apartheid.
Even after the dawn of democracy in 1994, Archbishop Tutu remained fearlessly outspoken against immoral politicians. He lived for us, persevered for us, suffered for us, struggled for us, and achieved for all humanity. Although gone, may Archbishop Tutu live forever!
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