ARCHBISHOP Desmond Emeritus Tutu and his wife Leah will do more than blow out candles when they celebrate joint birthdays next month, as a wall-to-wall lineup that runs over at least four days is on the cards.
And Tutu’s friend, former Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, will visit the country to play a crucial role that has in the past two years past been held by international activist Graca Machel, and the Dalai Lama - albeit via satellite linkup after the Government refused the Tibetan spiritual leader a visa.
Annan, whom Tutu has described as a “brave, humble and dedicated leader”, will be the main speaker at the 3rd Annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture at the University of the Western Cape.
The archbishop turns 82 on 7 October, but the buzz this year is targeted around Leah, in the build-up to her 80th a week later on 14 October.
Said Tutu yesterday: “I do happen to be turning 82-years-old next month, but will really just be playing a supporting role for two people who are much more important and deserving of accolades than me: My darling wife Leah, who celebrates her 80th birthday – and who some may say is long overdue a medal for tolerating and guiding me with such warmth and good humour for 58 years – and my younger brother and leader Kofi Annan, who has graciously agreed to join us and impart his considerable wisdom at the annual lecture.”
Annan, Machel and Tutu two are all members of The Elders, a group of world figures convened by Nelson Mandela six years ago, which promotes international dialogue and peace building. Annan took over from Tutu as Chair of The Elders in May. Tutu remains an Honorary member.
The birthday events organised by the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation kick off with the handover of a sportsfield to one of Tutu’s pet projects, the Markoni Beam Primary School in Milnerton, on Saturday 5 October.
The school is situated near Tutu’s office, and the ongoing school upgrade project “forms part of Tutu’s belief that Ubuntu begins at home,” said a spokesman for Tutu, Roger Friedman.
The handover has been possible due to negotiations with the council, which owned the land.
On Sunday, a church service to honour the elderly will be held in Markoni Beam.
On Tutu’s birthday, he will roll up his pants and head to Lagoon Beach for a beach-cleanup, in partnership with Sancob (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds).
The peace lecture, at the University of the Western Cape, takes place that evening.
The following day, a one-day symposium will be held to bring together all the myriad organisations in Tutu’s name.