Archbishop Desmond Tutu died on Sunday, 26 December 2021, aged 90.
Following are reactions to his death:
THE INSIGHT FACTOR
Desmond Tutu will be remembered for having forced the iconic freedom fighter Winnie Madikizela Mandela, to apologise for the murder of Stompie Seipei. A murder she did not commit. Stompie’s mother told the world that Winnie was framed.
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa.
“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead.”
DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA
Archbishop Tutu, played an important role in ensuring that we begin the process of transforming South Africa into a just society. It was his passion in leading the restorative process that earned him global recognition and a Nobel Prize for Peace.He will also be remembered by many a freedom fighter for the contribution he made as an important voice in our struggle for freedom and against an illegitimate, repressive apartheid government
ANDILE MNGXITAMA
Hamba kahle Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. In death all quarelles cease to exist. You shall be remembered as the author of the TRC which brought no truth or reconciliation
THABO MAKGOBA, ARCHBISHOP OF CAPE TOWN
“Desmond Tutu’s legacy is moral strength, moral courage and clarity. He felt with the people. In public and alone, he cried because he felt people’s pain. And he laughed – no, not just laughed, he cackled with delight when he shared their joy.”
NELSON MANDELA FOUNDATION
“His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberator futures for human societies. He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.”
MODIBE MODIBA
We mustn’t forget that yes, Desmond Tutu did challenge the Apartheid regime but later abandoned the struggle. He played a key role in separating Mama Winne & Mandela. He wanted Mama Winnie to apologise. He joined a group of black elitist while we languish in poverty. That’s him.
VATICAN TELEGRAM OFFERING POPE FRANCIS’S CONDOLENCES
“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu… Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his Holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God.”
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
“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.
“He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”
OFFICIAL RAKGADI SOLDIER
Desmond Tutu R.I.P but we will never forget what you did to mama Winnie
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
“No words better exemplify his ministry than the three he contributed to a work of art at The Carter Center: Love, freedom and compassion.”
JOHN STEENHUYSEN, LEADER OF SOUTH AFRICAN OPPOSITION PARTY THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
“A true South African giant has left us today, but his spirit will live on … in our continued effort to build a united, successful, non-racial South Africa for all … When we lost our way, he was the moral compass that brought us back.”
PROFESSOR THULI MADONSELA
Exceedingly heartsore to note the passing of Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. He was one of the best among us. He brought light to darkness and lightness to heaviness. Heartfelt condolences to Mam Leah, the family, friends and staff. May his unconquerable soul
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTIN SELBY
“Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action – one who embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life.”
THE DALAI LAMA, TIBET’S SPIRITUAL LEADER
“The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the greater common good.”
He left a bad legacy of begging the oppressed to apologize to the oppressors, Begging the oppressed to forgive People who never said Sorry May the Spirit of Mam Winnie Live on. RIP #DesmondTutu
BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING
“I’m saddened to learn of the death of global sage, human rights leader, and powerful pilgrim on earth … We are better because he was here.”
FIKILE MBALULA, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
As the President said, the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is another chapter in the passing of South Africa’s greatest people. The Arch was a champion for truth and our country’s conscience. We bow and bid farewell to an icon and universally loved Arch
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
“His contagious sense of humour and laughter has helped to resolve many critical situations in South Africa’s political and church life. He was able to break almost any deadlock. He shared with us the laughter and grace of God many a time.”
UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON
“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 humour.”
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The Chairman and the Motsepe Family, the Board of Directors, Technical Team, Players, Management, Staff, Supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns FC & the Yellow Nation express their deepest condolences to the family and friends as we mourn the loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
UK DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DOMINIC RAAB
“His adage, ‘Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument’, has never felt more apt.”
MEXICAN PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR
“One of his sayings is terse, but forceful and true: ‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.'”
Cameron Kendall Peters@CameronKendall
Desmond Tutu will always be remembered as an evil man who used religious overreach to create a FAKE “Rainbow nation”, and forcing Mama Winnie to apologize for a crime she did not commit.
BASIM NAEEM, SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH PALESTINIAN ISLAMIST MILITANT GROUP HAMAS
“Our Palestinian people lost a strong supporter of their march towards freedom and independence. Father Desmond Tutu spent his entire life struggling against racism and defending human rights and especially on the Palestinian land.”
We heard about Desmond Tutu at least we knew who he was (sellout) he was not a Saint as the Media is trying to portray him. Forgiveness will be between him and the creator mina andizi.
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