President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed \u201cprofound sadness\u201d at the death of anti-Apartheid struggle icon and social justice champion Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Tutu, who was the country\u2019s last surviving laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as an anti-Apartheid activist, passed away at the age of 90, in Cape Town, on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation\u2019s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cDesmond 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,\u201d President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The President said Tutu\u2019s commitment to the attainment of liberation despite illness and the \u201cbrutality of the Apartheid security forces\u201d was never shaken and he praised Tutu\u2019s contribution to South Africa\u2019 s painful Truth and Reconciliation Commission.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the pavements of resistance in South Africa to the pulpits of the world\u2019s great cathedrals and places of worship, and the prestigious setting of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the Arch distinguished himself as a non-sectarian, inclusive champion of universal human rights.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission he articulated the universal outrage at the ravages of apartheid and touchingly and profoundly demonstrated the depth of meaning of ubuntu, reconciliation and forgiveness,\u201d President Ramaphosa said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The President highlighted that even upon the attainment of the country\u2019s democracy, Tutu continued to show \u201ccompassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe remained true to his convictions during our democratic dispensation and maintained his vigour and vigilance as he held leadership and the burgeoning institutions of our democracy to account in his inimitable, inescapable and always fortifying way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The President expressed his condolences to the Tutu family.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe share this moment of deep loss with Mam Leah Tutu, the Archbishop\u2019s soulmate and source of strength and insight, who has made a monumental contribution in her own right to our freedom and to the development of our democracy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe pray that Archbishop Tutu\u2019s soul will rest in peace but that his spirit will stand sentry over the future of our nation,\u201d the President said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed \u201cprofound sadness\u201d at the death of anti-Apartheid struggle icon and social justice champion Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.Tutu, who was the country\u2019s last surviving laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize for his wo…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n