Tutu goes home from hospital

CAPE TOWN, 3 September 2015 " Former South African President Mr FW De Klerk visited fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in hospital today. After chatting for a few minutes laughter filled the ward when the former President, alluding to a difficult phase of his relationship with Archbishop Tutu during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said he didn't want to stay long and tire the Archbishop. "I tired you enough in the past... You tired me too!" he quipped. Must credit : BENNY GOOL / Oryx Media

CAPE TOWN, 3 September 2015 " Former South African President Mr FW De Klerk visited fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in hospital today. After chatting for a few minutes laughter filled the ward when the former President, alluding to a difficult phase of his relationship with Archbishop Tutu during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said he didn't want to stay long and tire the Archbishop. "I tired you enough in the past... You tired me too!" he quipped. Must credit : BENNY GOOL / Oryx Media

Published Sep 4, 2015

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Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was released from a Cape Town hospital on Friday morning after being treated for a persistent infection for just under two weeks.

Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu said her father wished to say a special thank you to the hospital staff who had cared for him, and his wonderfully talented and generous medical team.

She said the love and good wishes expressed by people around the world had been just as important as the medical attention in aiding her father’s recovery.

On Thursday, former president FW de Klerk paid Tutu a visit. The pair exchanged light-hearted jibes and laughter.

In a statement released by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the organisation said laughter erupted from the ward when the two joked about their relationship during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

De Klerk said he didn’t want to stay long and tire the Archbishop.

“I tired you enough in the past… You tired me too,” he quipped.

De Klerk visited the clergyman along with Tutu’s wife, Leah, and Mpho. De Klerk said his wife, Elita, would have accompanied him, but she was recovering from flu.

Tutu has been in and out of hospital for the past six weeks to receive intensive antibiotic treatment for a stubborn infection and related complications.

Tutu told De Klerk on Thursday that he was exercising daily, and spending more and more time sitting in a chair, rather than lying in bed.

 

De Klerk said he looked forward to watching the soon-to-be 84-year-old Archbishop on the dance floor when De Klerk celebrates his 80th birthday early next year.

Tutu said if he didn’t feel up to dancing, he would pray for the former president.

Cape Argus

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