By: Kaya 959 News Reporter
The ANC has paid homage to anti-Apartheid activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed away on Sunday.
Tutu, the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away in Cape Town at the age of 90.
Lerumo Kalako, Ronalda Nalumango, Faiez Jacobs and Minister Naledi Pandor visited Tutu’s home in Cape Town.
“We are paying our respects to a life well-lived and continue to express our condolences to the family, community and people who shared a space with the archbishop,” said provincial ANC spokesperson, Sifiso Mtsweni.
On Monday, Cyril Ramaphosa visited the stalwart’s home where he expressed his condolences to the Tutu family.
READ: City of Joburg to host memorial service for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
He said Archbishop Tutu led millions of South Africans in the struggle against Apartheid and when Apartheid was defeated he also led the process of reconciliation.
“As he became concerned about some of the errors of the governing party he spoke out. He was brave. He was forthright and we loved him just for that because he was a voice for the voiceless,” Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the nation late on Sunday, Ramaphosa said Tutu was one of South Africa’s finest patriots.
He called Tutu a “man of unwavering courage, of principled conviction” adding that his life was spent in the service of others. “He embodied the essence of our humanity,” Ramaphosa said.
He said knowing that Tutu has been unwell for a while did little to lessen the blow.
“Uwile umthi omkhulu. We have lost a person who carried the burden of leadership with compassion, with dignity, with humility and with such good humour,” the President said.
Ramaphosa said in his struggle against Apartheid and as the Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Tutu saw the depths to which human beings could descend in the subjugation of others.
“His faith in humanity, like his faith in God, was unwavering. He knew in his soul that good would triumph over evil, that justice would prevail over iniquity, and that reconciliation would prevail over revenge and recrimination. He knew that apartheid would end, that democracy would come. He knew that our people would be free,” he said.
He said the nation’s loss is a global bereavement. Tutu’s funeral will take place on New Year’s Day at St George’s Cathedral.
