HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARCH
Best wishes from all round as celebrated anti-apartheid cleric turns 87
ARCHBISHOP Emeritus Desmond Tutu celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday with his family at his bedside in a Cape Town hospital.
The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation wished Tutu a blessed birthday and a speedy return to good health.
Tutu has been in hospital for over a week. He was admitted for a series of tests. The foundation said he would spend the day surrounded by family and today President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eighth annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture.
The provincial ANC wished Tutu well and described the archbishop as an “extraordinary human being”.
“He serves 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. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and other faiths marched alongside Archbishop Tutu in protest against the apartheid regime.
“His selfless service to his church and country tells the story of a man who has etched his name in the history books. We wish the Arch, our Nobel Laureate, a wonderful and peaceful 87th birthday and ask that God bless him to celebrate many more,” said the ANC.
The FW de Klerk Foundation and former President De Klerk also send their well-wishes.
“We rejoice in his life and achievements, and in the relative good health he has been enjoying. He has, throughout his life, fought for justice and reconciliation. He has consistently spoken out against injustices and wrong actions, irrespective of who the perpetrators were. In all of this, he has remained a humble servant of God in service of his people. May you have a blessed day and a good year, Arch!” said the foundation.
City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille said Tutu has been an iconic example in the country as he always speak truth to power.
“The Arch has not changed one bit. I would like to wish you Arch a very happy birthday.”
Meanwhile; the family of Struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni, 93, said they are happy with the recovery made by him after he was admitted to a Cape Town hospital.
Mlangeni’s son, Sello Mlangeni, said: “My father is recovering well. We are happy with the progress he is making so far. He is in good hands being taken care of by good doctors.”
Last week, the ANC called on the nation to pray for Mlangeni.
Mlangeni was among the 11 anti-apartheid activists arrested in 1963 at Liliesleaf Farm, Rivonia. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island at the trial.