Well wishes for Tutu on his 87th birthday
BIRTHDAY messages and well-wishes poured in from around the country for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday.
He was admitted to hospital about a week ago for a series of tests and it was unclear whether he had been discharged.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has been battling prostate cancer for almost two decades and had been hospitalised since late last month.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay tribute to Tutu when he delivers the Desmond Tutu annual lecture at the Artscape today.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said: “There are never enough words to say thank you to the Arch for what he has done for our country and he still remains an example to us. I hope he and mam Leah have a happy and blessed birthday today,” she said.
Tutu received thousand of tributes through social media including from former public protector Thuli Madonsela who tweeted: “Happy birthday Archbishop Emeritus #DesmondTutu. Thank you for your selfless contribution to the betterment of humanity. Blessings today and the days ahead.”
The official Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation also tweeted, saying: “Happy 87th birthday to our Founder Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Wishing you a beautiful day and may God continue to bless you as you bless all of us.”
The ANC said Tutu was not only an extraordinary human being, he also served as a reminder of the role that he played in bringing apartheid to its knees and restoring the dignity of all South Africans.