HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DESMOND TUTU
I am delighted to send Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu our warmest greetings and felicitations on his 84th birthday.
Eighty-four years ago today, a baby boy was born to Zacheriah and Aletta Tutu, in Klerksdorp, whose destiny was to help reshape the politics of South Africa.
He, together with Nelson Mandela, made manifest a high level of morality in our politics. His characterisation of South Africa as a rainbow nation of god contextualised Nelson Mandela’s aspiration for reconciliation among South Africa’s people. Together they shepherded South Africa out of conflict and enmity into a constitutional democracy pursuing unity in diversity.
All of us in South Africa are enormously beholden to the unique role Desmond Tutu played on his own as well as at the side of his friend Nelson Mandela.
On behalf of Congress of the People, I wish Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu good health and a very blessed day. Our executive is so pleased to see him out of hospital and walking again.
May the Lord rain his choicest blessings on this darling son of South Africa and this true and remarkable servant of the church. Happy birthday to you and so say all of us!
Issued by Mosiuoa Lekota, COPE President, 7 October 2015
