Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu tributes

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It is with great sadness that I have to announce that our dearly beloved Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town – and the 1984 Nobel Peace laureate – Desmond Mpilo Tutu died a short while ago at the age of 90.
On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the whole faith community, and – I make bold to say – on behalf of millions across South Africa, Africa and the world, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Nomalizo Leah, to his son, Trevor Tamsanqa, and to his daughters, Thandeka, Nontombi and Mpho, and all of their families.
- Anglican Church

The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu is immeasurable. He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies. He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time. 
- Nelson Mandela Foundation

My absolute favourite person. The last pure of heart has left this world.
Rest in eternal peace Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Those who put their heart and soul into something bigger than themselves, never die from the psyche of humanity.
Thank you for all you did for us and thank you for always staying true 
Condolences to the family and loved ones.
- Adri Dames-Pillay

Heartfelt condolences   to his family and friends.
May his soul rest in perfect peace and rise in glory
- Dudu Maboea

We are saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Mam Leah, family and friends. From all at SASCOC and Team SA
- Team South Africa

You have ran your race with utmost  excellence! Thank you #ArchbishopDesmondTutu.We bow our heads in your honour!RIP Desmond Tutu
- Phumla Williams

How significant that after celebrating Jesus birth, we mark the first death of one of his followers and prima witness, St Stephen.
This Jesus is worth dying for.
So how poignant today the death of one of Jesus’ truest and hopeful witnesses, Desmond Tutu. May he rest in peace
- Rev Chris Russel Advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury on evangelism & witness.

Sad day for South Africa Flag of South Africa on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. An inspiring and compassionate leader who will always be remembered for his pursuit of racial justice, equity and reconciliation. May his dear soul Rest In Peace.
- Vanessa Thomas

Tragic loss to all of South Africa, his family and humankind. May his family know how much he was loved and respected and continue with his work.
- Sandra Oberholzer

Condolences to his family and Rest well TATA
- Kaygee Bee Moepeng

Thank you #ArchbishopTutu for ALL you have been. Yours is a rich legacy that none can tarnish. Sleep Beloved Arch.
- Redi Tlhabi

To millions #ArchbishopTutu was an icon! He could not be silenced by the brutal regime! An embodiment of how the religious communities stood firm in support of the peoples struggles that guaranteed the defeat of apartheid colonialism! A moral map and light for our new democracy!
- Zwelinzima Vavi

A colossus that bestrode our country, our continent and the world. He played his vast role and now it truly is in our hands. Go well Arch.
- Thami

We have lost a giant.
Rest in peace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu.
You will be remembered and honoured for decades to come.
Thank you for your service to South Africa and her people
- Herman Mashaba

Archbishop Tutu was a an incredible South African. A moral giant, a leader and a true reconciler. He was guided always by love. May he join the giants of faith. May the Lord welcome him home, with the timeless words of “well done my good and faithful servant”. #RIPDesmondTutu
- Mmusi Maimane

A true South African giant has left us, but his spirit will live on in the everyday kindness we South Africans show each other, and in our continued effort to build a united, successful, nonracial SA for all. We extend our deepest condolences to the Tutu family. #RIPDesmondTutu
- John Steenhuisen

Wits University joins the nation in mourning the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu - a humanitarian & an honourable leader who always fought for social justice. Our deep condolences are extended to his family, friends & those who knew him well. May he rest in peace.
- Wits University

A giant of our country. Rest In Peace Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Thank you for your compassion, empathy, wisdom and belief in a brighter tomorrow. You were a beacon for South Africa. Love and strength to his family. #RIPDesmondTutu
- Jesse Clegg

We have lost another amazing man, great sense of humour, was happy to criticise any party if they were wrong, a man who believed in equality for all. He will be dearly missed. Gone now to fly the heavens with Madiba. RIP your job on earth is done
- Andrea

RIP Archbishop Tutu and thank you for your contributions to our freedom  fly high Arch and I'm Shor millions of us will miss you!! Shalom my friend.
- Peter

This is truly a sad day. What a great man. Rest peacefully Archbishop - you ran your race and your service to mankind is over now.
May you be with our Lord a nd Saviour and rest in peace eternal.
Prayers and condolences to your loved ones.
- Joanne

Today we say goodbye to a man who taught us the power of joy to fight injustice and evil. As many of us woke up to the sad news on the passing of Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, 90, on Sunday, 26 December 2021, we remember him not only for his firm, principled stand on issues of justice, human rights and democracy. We also remember him for his infectious smile, unflagging sense of humour and especially his demonstration of love for his fellow South Africans.
- UCT Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice-Chancellor

UJ is saddened by the death of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. He leaves behind a rich legacy of human rights. He will always be remembered for his immeasurable contribution to South Africa’s ideals of non-racialism, non-sexism and equality. May his soul rest in peace.
- University of Johannesburg

Dr Desmond Tutu was a figure of great moral authority, someone who had boundless empathy with all people. He freely gave of his time and energy to improve the lives of others. He will be sorely missed, but we are grateful for his legacy.
- Stellenbosch University

The NWU joins the rest of the world in expressing our appreciation for the life of archbishop Desmond Tutu, & send our condolences to the Tutu family. May we continue his legacy in advocating for human rights, social justice, and peace everywhere. #RIPDesmondTutu.
- North West University

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 humor and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.
- Barack & Michelle Obama

I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 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.
- Boris Johnson

“Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” A kind soul left us today. Let’s honour him and do our bit of good. Rest in peace Desmond Tutu.
- Malala Yousafzai

Prix Nobel de la paix en 1984, Desmond Tutu consacra sa vie aux droits de l’Homme et à l’égalité des peuples. Son combat pour la fin de l'apartheid et la réconciliation sud-africaine restera dans nos mémoires.
- Emmanuel Macron

Dear South Africans, your loss is also ours. A beacon of light, understanding and wisdom for us all has gone out. We treasure the lessons he taught us.
- Embassy of Sweden in South Africa

"He was a friend of @UNICEF and of children in #SouthAfrica and across the world." As we mourn the death of #ArchbishopTutu we celebrate his life as a true champion for children & in making the world a better place #ForEveryChild
- UNICEF South Africa

The SABC is deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Heartfelt condolences to the Tutu family and friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace. #RIPDesmondTutu
- SABC

The African National Congress joins South Africans and the global community in mourning the sad passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. The Arch, who was also South Africa's last surviving Nobel-Peace Prize laureate, passed away today(Sunday, 26 December 2021) in Cape Town at the age of 90.
Born in Klerksdorp in the North West province, Archbishop Tutu is an internationally renowned spiritual leader, anti-apartheid activist and global human rights campaigner. The Arch was not only an extraordinary human being, he also served as a reminder of the role that he and many other religious leaders played in bringing apartheid to its knees and restoring the dignity of all South Africans. His selfless service to his
church and country tells the story of a man who has etched his name in the history books.
The Arch dedicated his life to the service of the people of South Africa, leading tirelessly from the front for the liberation of our country and the arduous process of building a common nationhood, which he endearingly dubbed the Rainbow Nation. During his tenure as the Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Archbishop Tutu, pulled no punches in condemning the atrocities committedby the apartheid regime and it's architects, against black South Africans.
Following the fall of apartheid, Archbishop Tutu campaigned for gay rights and spoke on a wide range of subjects, among them the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his opposition and conscientised the world about climate change. He retired from public life in 2010.
Indeed the big baobab tree has fallen. South Africa and the mass democratic movement has lost a tower of moral conscience and an epitome of wisdom.
We extend our revolutionary condolences to his wife Mama Leah Tutu, his family, friends as well as colleaques at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.
May Archbishop Desmond Tutu's soul rest in eternal peace
- ANC

A true South African giant has left us today, but his spirit will live on in the everyday kindness we South Africans show each other, and in our continued effort to build a united, successful, nonracial South Africa for all.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu left an indelible mark on the fabric of South African society, having played a key role in ending Apartheid and in the peaceful transition to constitutional democracy through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. For almost three decades since, he has been a voice of reason and compassion against poverty, racism, xenophobia and corruption, and for human development. When we lost our way, he was the moral compass that brought us back.
In relation to the HIV epidemic, he took a stand for compassion and HIV prevention and treatment. His Desmond Tutu Health Foundation has worked tirelessly to fulfill his mission to protect individuals, families and communities in South Africa from the HIV epidemic.
He worked towards ending stigma of all kinds, speaking out against the infringement of LGBTIQ rights across Africa.
He was a most wonderful individual, possessing both great kindness and great courage. A true father of our nation, and a role model for all, who never shied from speaking truth to power. The Democratic Alliance will continue to work towards building the South Africa he envisaged.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife and family and other loved ones. As a nation, we are in mourning, for we have all lost a most remarkable, special individual who showed us the best we could be.
- DA

My condolences go to the many people in South Africa & worldwide whose lives have been touched by the late #DesmondTutu. Archbishop Tutu was a peacemaker, a champion of justice & health equity & a man whose great wisdom was matched only by his love devotion to helping others.
Rest In Peace
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization

"Evil doesn't have the last word... Joy and laughter, caring and compassion; those are what prevail in the end." - Desmond Tutu at the founding of The Elders, July 2007.
- The Elders

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu R.I.P good sir. Thank you for your positivity, passion, courage, leadership & unwavering commitment to making this world a better place.
- Bryan Habana

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the spiritual leader of the anti-apartheid movement. He believed in human dignity & the power of freedom to create a new nation. His deep faith was his powerhouse that made the world a better place. Thank you and ‘well done good and faithful servant’.
- Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia

SA Rugby paid tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who passed away on Sunday  "He was our moral compass and always pointed in the principled direction"
- Mark Alexander, SA Rugby

Condolences from His Majesty King Harald of Norway on the passing of Desmond Mpilo Tutu: Our thoughts go to the South African people who have lost an important voice for justice 
- His Majesty King Harald of Norway

Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre expressing condolences to anti-apartheid icon and Nobel peace prize laureate Desmond Tutu's family and to South Africa. May he rest in peace
- Astrid Helle, Norwegian Ambassador to South Africa

Dear South Africans, your loss is also ours. A beacon of light, understanding and wisdom for us all has gone out. We treasure the lessons he taught us.
- Embassy of Sweden in South Africa

On behalf of the Dutch missions to South Africa, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. An icon in the fight against apartheid has passed.
- Han Peters, Dutch Ambassador to South Africa

We have learned with great shock of the passing on of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We join South Africa and the world in mourning a leading stalwart of justice, equality and equity. May his soul rest in eternal Peace.
- The Diplomatic Informer SA

FM Dr. Momen expressed deep condolences at the passing away of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He noted that the world will remember the Archbishop for his role in abolishing apartheid. Dr Momen sent prayers to the departed soul and sympathy to the bereaved family.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh

#EU High Representative on the passing of Archbishop #DesmondTutu.
- Riina Kionka, European Union Ambassador to South Africa

Rest in Peace #ArchbishopTutu . His was a great life lived with true meaning and purpose, always promoting peace, humility and humanity. Our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family and to the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa.
- Kamina J Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica

We @PKinSouthAfrica express our heartfelt condolences to all South Africans on the demise of Nobel laureate and Human Rights activist Archbishop @TheDesmondTutu
- Pakistan High Commission in South Africa.

The Danish Minister of Development Cooperation @FlemmingMM send his thoughts to the Tutu family and all touched by @TheDesmondTutu
- Ambassador Tobias Elling Rehfeld of Denmark to South Africa

We are deeply saddened by the loss of the great Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of Cape Town, South African anti-apartheid and human rights activist. Our heartfelt condolences to South African people and his beloved ones. May his soul rest in peace.
- Consulate General of Turkey in South Africa

Very sad news on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, his passion for human rights and fight against Apartheid regime inspired millions around the world. My deep condolences to his relatives and the people of South Africa
- Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affaris of Latvia

Just found of about the passing of Archbishop #DesmondTutu this morning. Our deepest condolences to Mam Leah and the Tutu family.
- Mamadou Sow, Head of International Red Cross in Southern Africa

“Don't raise your voice, improve your argument.” Desmond Tutu A great human icon of human rights and oppressed nations are no more with us. Desmond Tutu, the world will miss your gentle voice, my condolences to the people of South Africa and the family on this tragic loss.
- Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan, Chair of the International Human Rights Council

We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. He was such a great person. He will live on in our memories forever—our heartfelt condolences.
- Salman Al Farisi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Suth Africa

We join the President and all South Africans in expressing our sadness at the news of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu MHSRIP. Our condolences to his family.
- Embassy of South Africa in Cuba

The .@SAHCMaputo joins H.E. President @CyrilRamaphosa & @DIRCO_ZA Minister Dr Naledi Pandor, in mouring the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu. Our sincere condolences to Mrs Leah Tutu & the Tutu Family.
- South African High Commission in Mozambique

My heart breaks as I join the world in mourning the passing of a TRUE hero, a moral compass for us all.  Rest In Peace and Power, Desmond Tutu.
- Charlize Theron

My dear friend,
you will be missed.
I know that you are at our fathers side.
I will always have fond memories of us.
And your laughter will remain in my heart forever.
Rest In Peace.
- Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene

All of us @UN_Women are greatly saddened by the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a true champion of human rights, inclusion, and gender equality. His presence will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to the Tutu family and the people of South Africa.
- Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu - a towering global figure for peace & justice, voice of the voiceless & inspiration to people everywhere.   We will continue to draw strength from his humanity, passion & resolve to fight for a better world for all.
- António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

With a moral light that graced his every act of service, Desmond Tutu answered apartheid with the gifts of a healer. He fought for a world marked by forgiveness, free from injustice, and rid of HIV/AIDS—a world where every life is valued. I will miss my dear friend.
- Melinda French Gates

A message of condolence from Her Majesty The Queen on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- The Royal Family, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

"I find myself profoundly saddened by the departure of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and simultaneously in celebration of his rich legacy. Amid these mixed emotions, I mourn the loss of a brother, my loyal friend and my spiritual leader,"
- Graça Machel

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the great anti-apartheid and human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop #DesmondTutu, who's legacy lives on in today's #SouthAfrica and the world.
- Lithuania Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a man of extraordinary leadership & an unrelenting champion for equality. Australia expresses its condolences to the people of South Africa. We have lost a true giant in the service of human rights for all.
- Marise Payne, Australian Foreign Minister

German Chancellor @OlafScholz offers his deep condolences on the passing of former Archbishop and Nobel Laureate Desmond #Tutu of South Africa.
- Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement on the death of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
- Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a leader of justice and equality in the fight for human rights in South Africa and around the world. His work is inspirational and has paved the way for progress and positive change globally. The world is a better place because of Desmond Tutu.
- Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada

The @_AfricanUnion joins the people & Govt of #SouthAfrica in mourning the passing of Anti-Apartheid icon, Archbishop #DesmondTutu. A man of faith convinced in the power of reconciliation through restorative justice, the Arch was a true shepherd of peace. May he rest in peace.
- African Union