Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is celebrating his 90th birthday today and is being overwhelmed by all the birthday wishes. Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born of mixed Xhosa and Motswana heritage on the 7th of October 1931. The Arch was born in Klerksdorp.
He is an Anglican cleric and theologian and is known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. Tutu also head-up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission at the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
Arch Tutu is married to Nomalizo Leah Tutu, fondly known as Mama Leah. The Arch is also a former Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Now retired, Tutu has many famous friends and many of them took some time out to send him their birthday wishes.
Marlene le Roux , CEO of the Artscape Theatre and disability and women’s rights activist
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde
It is a great honour for me, on behalf of the people of the WC, to wish our beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu a happy 90th birthday. We hope that his day is filled with love & joy. We encourage residents to celebrate his life by following in his footsteps. Happy Birthday, Arch! pic.twitter.com/WFkjMbcmmk
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) October 7, 2021
Comedian Marc Lottering
In a written message to Tutu, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “You continue to remind us that fellowship, solidarity, charity and compassion for the vulnerable are values common to us all, and we should strive to live by them each day…We are further reminded that taking up the struggle for equality and social justice is not the responsibility of only government, civil society organisations or the clergy, but of us all.”
Mama Leah Tutu celebrates her birthday next week on 17 October, she will be 88 years old.
