The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth and the royal family have said that they’re saddened by the death of anti-apartheid veteran Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was reported dead on Sunday.
The Queen described the late leader him as a man who ‘tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world’.
In a message of condolence, she said: ‘I am joined by the whole Royal Family in being deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.
‘I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour.
‘Archbishop Tutu’s loss will be felt by the people of South Africa, and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth, where he was held in such high affection and esteem.’
Since President Cyril Raamaphosa announced Tutu’s death on Sunday morning, messages of condolence and tributes from across the world have flooded in for the South African clergyman.
Tutu, who chaired South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission under President Nelson Mandela, died today in Cape Town aged 90.
Famously outspoken, even after the fall of the racist apartheid regime, Tutu never shied away from confronting South Africa’s shortcomings or injustices.
It was Tutu who coined and popularised the term ‘Rainbow Nation’ to describe South Africa when Nelson Mandela became the country’s first black president.
However, in recent years, Tutu slammed even the ruling African National Congress (ANC) — the vanguard of the fight against white-minority rule — for cronyism and nepotism after apartheid ended in 1994.
In the past, he has confronted homophobia in the Anglican Church, challenged Mandela over-generous salaries for cabinet ministers, and stridently criticised the corruption that mushroomed under ex-president Jacob Zuma.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
