Archbishop Desmond Tutu Dies At Age 90

Nelson Mandela described the man affectionately known as ‘the Arch’ as the voice of the voiceless as he fought openly and passionately
against oppression, racism, poverty, and homophobia.
Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and anti-apartheid campaigner, died at the age of 90.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the death in a statement issued on Sunday.
For nearly two decades, the man who coined the phrase “the Rainbow Nation” and was affectionately known as “the Arch” has battled
prostate cancer.

Desmond Mpilo Tutu was a zealous advocate for human rights and dignity.
Nelson Mandela described him as “sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid, and rarely without humour,” adding that “Desmond Tutu’s voice will always be the voiceless.”
He was an outspoken and passionate opponent of oppression, racism, poverty, and homophobia.
Tutu, who was born in Klerksdorp in 1931 and studied teaching and theology, became increasingly active in the fight against apartheid as a
young man and rose to worldwide fame as a vocal opponent of the apartheid system during the 1980s.
For his efforts, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
Tutu became the first black person to lead the Anglican Church in Southern Africa in 198,6 and used his position to advocate for peace and
justice.

Tutu was appointed chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) set up to deal with apartheid atrocities after South Africa finally
held its first democratic elections.
Tutu continued to speak out on moral and political issues in the years following the TRC’s conclusion.
In 2007, he was a founding member of The Elders, a group of senior world leaders who work together to promote peace and human rights.
When Jacob Zuma was about to become President of South Africa in 2009, the Arch was open about his dissatisfaction with his successor.
Tutu lashed out again at the government and the ANC when the Dalai Lama was forced to cancel his trip to South Africa in 2011 due to
controversial visa delays.
When his lifelong friend and world icon Mandela died in 2013, the Arch was not invited to speak at his funeral due to his criticism of the state.
Tutu made it clear a year later that he would not vote for the ruling party in South Africa’s fifth democratic elections.
Tutu leaves behind his wife, Leah, four children, and seven grandchildren.