Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has sent his good wishes to Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, after he was admitted to a Cape Town hospital with a persistent infection.
“We send our good wishes and support to our world renowned Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Tutu. We wish the medical team that is attending to him all the necessary wisdom and call on all South Africans to keep Archbishop Tutu and his family in their thoughts and prayers,” Zuma said in a statement on Wednesday night.
Tutu was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and, according to a statement from his organisation, was set to spend Wednesday night there.
From his hospital bed on Wednesday, Tutu thanked all those who had wished him well.
His daughter, Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu said her father “appreciated all those who were thinking about him as he received treatment”.
“Mpho Tutu said her father wished to thank everyone who had sent love and prayers over the past 24 hours, telephonically, electronically and through social and mass media channels,” the statement said.
The 83-year-old Nobel peace laureate cancelled his plans to travel to Rome last year due to illness.
Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000.
In 2013 he was also hospitalised, but no new malignant tumours were found.
The news of his illness made international headlines, with global news agencies picking up on the story on Wednesday.
South African politicians, celebrities and ordinary people used social media to wish Tutu well.
The ANC was one of the organisations to send well-wishes to Tutu, with Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs wishing him a speedy recovery.
“Archbishop Tutu is a national treasure who has never stopped working for a better South Africa and a better world. We need him to be in great health for the extensive work that lays ahead.”
Jacobs noted Tutu’s energetic nature in his statement, adding, “We are happy that he is expected to be discharged this week”.
Tutu, who celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary earlier this month, has been living with prostate cancer for 15 years.
“He has come out stronger every time. He is very resilient, full of life, and we know that after the doctors do a few checks, he will be back with even more energy to do his part in taking South Africa forward,” Jacobs said.
Despite the popular cleric having retired, he still remains one of South Africa’s most outspoken critics of human rights violations.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille tweeted: “Sending love and strength to Desmond Tutu. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Ndivhuho Malimagocha also used Twitter to share his message: “I wish Archbishop Desmond Tutu a speedy recovery. We are with him and his family in our prayers. Get well, Arch!”
Another Twitter user Glynnis Underhill said: “To one of the most spirited people I have ever met, get better soon.”
Naquita Hendricks shared a picture of the Arch on her Facebook account with his quote, “Do your little bit of good. It’s those bits put together that overwhelm the world”.
Cape Argus and ANA