South Africa is a nation in mourning, but the whole world salutes the memory of Desmond Tutu. Death Sunday, December 26. The South African Anglican Archbishop, icon of the struggle against apartheid and Nobel Peace Prize winner, passed away at the age of 90. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed “his deep sadness” at the announcement, paying tribute to a “unequaled patriot”, “a man of extraordinary intelligence, integrity and invincible against the forces of apartheid” corn “also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered (…) under apartheid, and for the oppressed and oppressors around the world”. For its part, the Mandela Foundation called its loss“immeasurable” : “He was an amazing human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.”
Far beyond the borders of “Rainbow nation”, heads of state and other prominent public and political figures had a word on Sunday for Desmond Tutu.
the “fight” by Desmond Tutu “for the end of apartheid and South African reconciliation will remain in our memories”, greeted French President Emmanuel Macron in a tweet. Monsignor Tutu “devoted his life to human rights and the equality of peoples”, he stressed.
Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1984, Desmond Tutu dedicated his life to human rights and the equality of peoples.
His fight for the end of apartheid and South African reconciliation will be remembered.– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 26, 2021
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was on Twitter. “deeply saddened”. “He was an essential figure in the struggle against apartheid and in the struggle for the creation of a new South Africa. We will remember him for his spiritual leadership and his irrepressible good humor.”, he added, while Charles Michel, President of the European Council, paid tribute to “a man who gave his life in freedom with a deep commitment to human dignity.”
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa – and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humor.
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 26, 2021
It’s with sadness that I have learned of archbishop Tutu’s passing
A man who gave his life to freedom with a deep commitment to human dignity.
A giant who stood up against apartheid.
You will be deeply missed.
My sympathies to his family, the people of and @CyrilRamaphosa
– Charles Michel (@eucopresident) December 26, 2021
If, according to the South African president, the death of Desmond Tutu “is a new chapter of mourning in our nation’s farewell to a generation of exceptional South Africans who left us a liberated South Africa”, the aura of religion radiated throughout the African continent. President Uhuru Kenyatta thus estimated that “the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a blow not only for the Republic of South Africa (…) but also for the whole African continent, where he is deeply respected and celebrated as a craftsman of peace. “” Archbishop Tutu inspired a generation of African leaders to embrace his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle. “, did he declare.
Those who worked with him did not fail to underline the commitment but also the humor of the South African archbishop. Like former US President Barack Obama: he was “a mentor, a friend and a moral compass for me and so many others.” “A universal spirit”, anxious to defend justice in his country and in the world. “He has never lost his playful sense of humor or his desire to find humanity in his opponents and he will be sorely missed. [mon épouse] Michelle and me “, he tweeted.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere. pic.twitter.com/qiiwtw8a5B
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 26, 2021
The “Sages” group, created in 2007 by Nelson Mandela and which brings together public figures working on major world problems, “have lost a dear friend, whose infectious laughter and mischievous sense of humor have delighted and charmed them all”, reacted in a statement the group which counts in its ranks Ban Ki Moon or Jimmy Carter. For them, his “commitment to peace, love and equality” continue to “to inspire future generations”.
“In Desmond Tutu’s eyes we saw the love of Jesus. In his voice we heard the compassion of Jesus. In his laughter we heard the joy of Jesus”, responded the spiritual leader of the Anglicans and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. “It was beautiful and courageous. His greatest love is now realized as he meets his Lord face to face.”
“The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something that we cherished”, said his old friend the Dalai Lama. The latter greeted a “great man, who lived a life full of meaning”, “entirely devoted to the service of his brothers and sisters”. Benice King, the daughter of pastor and civil rights icon Martin Luther King, wrote on Twitter that “we are better because he was here [de ce monde]”.