LIVE BLOG: 'We will not stop until we've raised a thousand more Desmond Tutu voices’ – Alan Boesak

Published Dec 30, 2021

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'We will not stop until we've raised a thousand more Desmond Tutu voices’ – Alan Boesak

The Reverend Allan Boesak says it is now up to the younger generation to lead by example as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has.

Boesak said that over the past few days he was approached by various media outlets to reflect on the legacy with the anti-apartheid activist.

One of the sentiments he never agreed with was the narrative that since Tutu's passing, there was no longer hope for the country to continue on its journey of healing.

"No, that is not true. Just before he died, I was privileged enough to meet with him and Mama Leah to talk about his 90th birthday.

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WATCH: Intimate event to celebrate the life of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

An intimate event in honour of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is under way in Cape Town.

Some of the dignitaries present include former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, former South African first lady Graça Machel and former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

Former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela is also in attendance.

Mama Leah Tutu, who was earlier spotted leaving her home for St George’s Cathedral where her late husband’s body lies in State until Friday, arrived at the event shortly after 5pm on Thursday.

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Mandla Mandela delivered a tribute to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at a private memorial function at the Old Granary hosted by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. Video: Ian Landsberg/ African News Agency

The Arch never missed a Soweto Derby, former PSL chair says

Secretary-general of the South African Interfaith Council Ashwin Trikamjee said on Thursday that the late Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu loved soccer and would never miss the Soweto Derby, between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Trikamjee, who was the former chairperson of the National Soccer League (now the PSL), was speaking during a virtual tribute during an interfaith memorial service held in honour of Tutu, at the St Albans Martyr Cathedral, in Tshwane.

The service featured readings from all walks of faith, with the main sermon delivered by Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

The Vatican’s Nuncio Archbishop Peter Wells delivered a tribute on behalf of the head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis.

Tutu’s grandchildren also paid tribute to him, by reading the preamble to the South African Constitution.

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PICS: Western Cape legislature look at lasting legacy for Desmond Tutu - Masizole Mnqasela

Picture: Mayibongwe Maqhina/IOL Politics

Western Cape provincial legislature Speaker Masizole Mnqasela on Thursday said the provincial Parliament will look at various measures to ensure there was a lasting legacy for the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

“We don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction. His death has just occurred,” Mnqasela said.

“What we need to do is to have a lasting legacy and a symbol that will truly emulate the life of the giant of his stature. That is something as Parliament we are to look at,” he said.

Mnqasela was among the those who visited Tutu’s Milnerton home, where they were received by the Arch’s daughter, Mpho, who accompanied them to the house to meet her mother and Tutu's widow Leah Tutu and other family members.

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Look: Plans afoot to develop Desmond Tutu’s place of birth into a Heritage site

Scores of mourners from various churches came to pay tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu at an open field where his family home in Matlosana, Klerksdorp was once built.

Proceedings began with a wreath-laying ceremony conducted by North West Premier Bushy Maape alongside Matlosana Municipality mayor James Tsolela. Those in attendance also planted trees.

The field in the area is set to be developed into a Heritage Site in Tutu's honour.

South African Council of Churches Chairperson and Diocese of the Klerksdorp Bishop Victor Phalana said the event was held to remember Tutu’s contribution to building a non-racial South Africa.

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Showers of blessings for Cape Town as Tutu viewing gets under way

Despite a one-hour delay in viewing the closed coffin of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, mourners waited patiently to pay their final respects to the global icon at the St George's Cathedral in Cape Town on Thursday morning.

The peaceful wait displayed by the crowd resonated with the qualities Tutu stood for which included love and peace, among others.

The hearse was expected to arrive between 7am and 7.30am but only arrived after 8am.

Mourners jumped out of the line to bear witness to the arrival of Tutu’s coffin at the Cathedral.

The Arch has previously emphasised his desire to have a simple funeral, and his desire was clearly displayed by the coffin - a box with a simple raw oak wood finish.

While queuing, gentle trickles of rain started emerging, like showers of blessings.

Some mourners began gathering in the area at 6am.

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WATCH: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s body arrives at St George’s Cathedral

The body of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu arrived – as per his wishes – in a simple pine coffin at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town on Thursday, where his body will lie in state for the two days.

Several roads around the cathedral were closed as his cortege snaked its way from Hertzog Boulevard towards Adderley Street into Wale Street.

Tutu’s family were the first to pay their respects to him after his body was moved into the church.

Tutu died in Cape Town on Sunday.

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The body of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu arrives at the St Georges Cathedral, where it will lie in a state for two days and be buried on Saturday. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)
The body of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu arrives at the St Georges Cathedral, where it will lie in a state for two days and be buried on Saturday. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)

LIVE FEED: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu body lies in state as mourners pay their last respects

The body of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will lie in state at Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral for two days from Thursday where thousands of mourners are expected to pay their last respects.

Earlier in the day, his body was carried into his beloved church in a simple pine coffin by members of the clergy.

Tutu died in Cape Town on Sunday.

Hundreds of South Africans are expected to pay their respects to him in the coming days as his body lies in state.

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Cape Town bids farewell to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in colourful, musical tribute

A musical memorial to South Africa's revered anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu had a rabbi and a monk dancing in their seats on Wednesday as Cape Town said farewell to its first black Anglican Archbishop.

The colourful interfaith service at City Hall to Tutu, who died at the weekend, was attended by family members and politicians, and peaked with a rendition of the 1980 chart-topper "Paradise Road".

The hit, which became an unofficial anthem for the struggle against apartheid, was emotionally performed by bare-footed South African singer Zolani Mahola.

Tutu died peacefully at a care centre on Sunday, just three months after his 90th birthday, prompting tributes to pour in from around the world.

Ahead of his funeral on Saturday numerous events are being held across South Africa to remember the apartheid foe and stalwart of the liberation struggle, who was also an outspoken critic of human rights abuses across the world.

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Category 1 funeral for Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The late Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa with a category one special funeral set to take place on Saturday – New Year's Day.

Tutu died on Sunday in Cape Town. He was 90.

The office of the Presidency announced the category one funeral will take place on January 1 at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

A state funeral of this kind usually involves displays by the SANDF, but according to Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, the late Arch did not want any display.

“In recognition of the late Archbishop Emeritus’ distinguished life and invaluable contribution to the nation, President Ramaphosa has designated the late leader’s funeral as a Special Official Funeral – Category 1.

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