Pics: Tutus renew their wedding vows

Published Jul 4, 2015

Share

 

Johannesburg - Joyful hymns rang out as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Nomalizo Leah entered the Holy Cross Anglican Church on Saturday for the second celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.

The church was filled with family and friends and guests included former president Thabo Mbeki and former president Nelson Mandela’s wife Graça Machel.

The congregation stood as one as Tutu, 83, and his wife, 81, entered the church sanctuary from a side entrance as Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, one of their daughters, led the service.

The couple stood up and danced while the church choir and the Soweto Gospel Choir sang.

Daughter Nontombi Naomi Tutu, in a heartwarming speech, described how her parents were inseparable.

“Whenever we would do wrong, Mama would say ‘I wonder what your father would say’.

“As kids, when we wanted something, we would try our luck and say Mama, Daddy said yes but we should come confirm with you, and she would say ‘let us discuss it together and we will get back to you’.”

Nontombi said their parents were a shining example a couple that had been brought together by God.

“Mama and Daddy we wish you 60 more years together,” she said, to which Leah laughed and simply exclaimed: “Yoh”

As the congregation sang, the couple headed for the alter where their daughter Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu stood waiting for them to do the reaffirmation of their vows.

“You don’t have to stand,” Mpho said to her father, but Tutu insisted on standing as he took Leah’s hand.

The couple then exchanged their vows at which point the congregation started singing and and praise worshipping.

The happy couple moved their seats closer to their family and gave each other a hug and a kiss before embracing and kissing their daughter and granddaughter and the rest of their guests for the peace offering.

ANA

Related Topics: