Sisipho Sweyiya

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Young activists hailed Archbishop Desmond Tutu a role model in fighting global injustices as they waited to pay their final respects on Friday for the anti-apartheid hero whose remains were at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner widely revered across racial and cultural divides in South Africa for his moral rectitude and principled fight against white-minority rule, died on Sunday https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tears-tutu-giant-struggle-neighbour-who-brought-round-groceries-2021-12-29 aged 90.

As he waited, clad in the Palestinian keffiyeh, Irfaan Mangera (a pro-Palestinian South African militant) said that the Arch represented the values we as young activists believed in.

Mangera referred to Tutu by his name and stated that “The Arch” was an icon who united us against oppressive systems worldwide, locally. We want to follow this path as young activists from South Africa who exemplify the values non-racialism, non-sexism.

CELEBRATIONS & TEARS

Mandla Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela’s first Black president of South Africa) was among the mourners. Tutu had always been close to Mandela.

He said, “People such as Arch were able lead marches and protests right here at the Cape, and this is why we celebrate his life today, and especially with his support of oppressed countries across the globe,” he added.

As the Cathedral’s marching band fills the air with their sounds of trumpets, drums and flutes earlier, clergy and church wardens assembled on the street to guard honour the arriving of the plain pine coffin with rope handles.

Thandeka, Thandeka’s eldest, was in tears after she got out of her hearse. The coffin was then taken by six black-robed men to the inner cathedral sanctuary.

Tutu was found in a state of repose on Thursday. On Saturday, a mass requiem funeral service will be held. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the principal eulogy.

According to Father Michael Weeder (cathedral dean), Tutu’s remains would remain in a state of limbo through Saturday night, after which the public viewing will end at 5 p.m. (0500 GMT).

Every day since Sunday, South Africa’s church bells have been rung in Tutu’s honor. On Friday, churches across the country held thanksgiving services in Tutu’s honour.

Tutu was able to choose the cheapest coffin but did not desire a costly funeral. He will be cremated.