Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dies in South Africa – RBK

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu dies at 90 in South Africa

1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has passed away at the age of 90 in South Africa. He was an active fighter against apartheid

South African 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu died at 91 in Cape Town. About it reported on the website of the President of South Africa.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses on behalf of all South Africans his deep sorrow over the death on Sunday, December 26, 2021, of the Honorary Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu,” the message said.

The South African leader called Tutu an unparalleled patriot who gave meaning to the biblical understanding that “faith without works is dead.” He added that Tutu was very responsive to those affected by the violence and injustice of apartheid, as well as to oppressed people around the world.

“In his inspiring yet challenging life, Desmond Tutu overcame tuberculosis, the brutality of the apartheid security forces and the intransigence of successive apartheid regimes,” Ramaphosa recalled.

He stressed that despite all the hardships, Tutu remained true to his convictions and maintained his strength and vigilance as he called to account the leadership and growing institutions of democracy in South Africa.

Desmond Tutu was born on October 7, 1931 in Klerksdorp, later his family moved to Johannesburg. He followed his father as a teacher and taught at school and college, but due to the intensification of the policy of apartheid, Tutu had to resign.

He took up theology studies and in 1960 became an Anglican priest. 15 years later, Tutu became the first black dean of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary in Johannesburg. He also became the first black bishop in South Africa in 1984 and has chaired the South African Council of Churches and the Pan African Conference of Churches.

Desmond Tutu was best known as an anti-apartheid activist as well as a human rights activist. In 1984 he received the Nobel Peace Prize “for courage and heroism in the fight against apartheid.”

He also performed on the global stage on a range of topics, from the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the war in Iraq to gay rights, climate change and euthanasia.