WHILE THE world mourns the death of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, it also celebrates his life.
The little man with the heart of a lion was a giant in any company.
The Arch was a man of God, a warrior for justice, and a man for the people!
The Nobel Peace Prize recipient who was well-known throughout the world, was also known by his Soweto neighbours as someone who was at the level of the people.
On Monday, people braved the pouring rain to lay flowers outside his home in Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, a stone’s throw away from Nelson Mandela’s home. Neighbour Modise Motau (76) told Daily Sun though they are sad that he has passed, they are comforted by the fact that he lived for 90 years.
“He was a humble man and was never cheeky with the people on the street. He was approachable. He was always friendly. He was at the level of the people and the destitute,” said Motau. “Even when he made his speeches, he would always crack jokes.”
He said they celebrated the Noble Peace Prize with him. “We were invited to his house as his neighbours,” said Motau.
Pinky Mamogobo said (55): “He travelled his journey and he fought the good fight. Since we grew up we have seen him in the morning strolling in the road. He would greet anyone, young and old, with a smile.”
She said Tutu was a happy soul and she loved the kind of marriage he and his wife Leah had.
“We learnt from him that when you are married to someone, you love them all the time. We learnt that when someone has done you wrong, you forgive, even when it is difficult.”
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba appealed to Anglican Church members not to crowd the St George’s Cathedral where the funeral will be held on Saturday, 1 January.
Addressing the media at the cathedral yesterday, Makgoba said: “Please attend church services at your local parishes and cathedrals. Our list of possible attendees at the funeral runs to 400 or 500 names and more than 100 members of the clergy, and regulations restrict attendance at funerals to a maximum of 100.”
“Please don’t get on the bus to Cape Town. We have arranged with cathedrals and local parishes to cater for your needs.”
Makgoba said Tutu’s funeral will be held at the cathedral at 10am on Saturday. “And it is here where his ashes will also be interred,” said Makgoba.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised Archbishop Tutu as a brave leader who continued his work as a tireless campaigner for the rights of the oppressed. He said Tutu spoke truth to power even when this meant criticising the democratic government.
“We have lost a person who carried the burden of leadership with compassion, with dignity, with humility and with good humour,” said Ramaphosa on Sunday.
The Arch was very critical of corruption in the ANC, and spoke out against it when it blocked the Dalai Lama’s visit for his 80th birthday in 2011, some say to please China. He also spoke out against the oppression of Palestine by Israel, saying it was worse than apartheid in Mzansi. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for from different political organisation, who hailed the Arch as a dedicated leader.
