President Cyril Ramaphosa "expresses, on behalf of all South Africans, his profound sadness at the demise today, Sunday December 26, of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu," according to a statement from Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele. At the age of 90, Archbishop Tutu, the last surviving South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died in Cape Town.
"President Ramaphosa extends his heartfelt condolences to MAM Leah Tutu, the Tutu family, the board and staff of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Elders and Nobel Laureate Group, and the iconic spiritual leader, anti-apartheid activist, and global human rights campaigner's friends, comrades, and associates nationally and globally."
"Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's passing is another chapter of mourning in our nation's farewell to a generation of remarkable South Africans who have handed us a liberated South Africa," Ramaphosa said.
"Desmond Tutu was an unrivaled patriot; a principled and pragmatic leader who brought new meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead."
He was tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice, and violence under apartheid, as well as oppressed and downtrodden people around the world." "A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity, and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice, and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world."
As the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he stated the following. Tutu expressed "global anger" at apartheid's ravages, "demonstrating touchingly and profoundly the depth of meaning of ubuntu, reconciliation, and forgiveness." “ Desmond Tutu survived disease, apartheid security forces' brutality, and successive apartheid regimes' stubbornness during his highly inspiring yet arduous life. Casspirs, tear gas, and security personnel were unable to scare or discourage him from his unwavering belief in our liberation.
"During our democratic dispensation, he remained faithful to his convictions and maintained his ardour and alertness in holding leadership and the emerging institutions of our democracy to account in his distinctive, unavoidable, and always strengthening style."
"We share this profound loss with MAM Leah Tutu, the Archbishop's soul partner and source of strength and insight, who has made a significant contribution to our freedom and democracy in her own right."
"We pray that Archbishop Tutu's soul may rest in peace, but that his spirit may guard our nation's future."
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He used his significant scholarly achievements to aid our battle and the global cause for social and economic justice.
"From the streets of South Africa's resistance to the pulpits of the world's largest cathedrals and houses of religion, as well as the illustrious setting of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the Arch distinguished himself as a nonsectarian, inclusive champion of global human rights."
