The trustees and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation celebrate the 90th birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu. Like many others in South Africa and around the world, we have experienced his life as a blessing. His contributions to struggles against injustice have been matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies.
“The Arch is an extraordinary human being,” said Foundation Chief Executive Sello Hatang. “A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.”
Archbishop Tutu enjoyed a long friendship with Nelson Mandela, who valued his honesty, courage and fierce independence. As Madiba once said of him: “His most characteristic quality is his readiness to take unpopular positions without fear … He speaks his mind on matters of public morality … such independence of mind is vital to a thriving democracy.” These are qualities we need more than ever before.
We wish the Archbishop every blessing as he moves into his nineties.
[ENDS]
Media Enquiries:
Kneo Mokgopa
Manager: Communications & Advocacy
kneom@nelsonmandela.org
+27 (0) 76 420 1910