(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) On December 26, the South African Presidential Palace issued a statement that Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Archbishop Desmond Tutu died in Cape Town at the age of 90.
Tutu and former South African President Mandela are the most well-known activists against apartheid. Tutu began to lead the “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” in 1995 to promote the transitional justice in South Africa and is well-known throughout the world. He was regarded by many as the conscience of South Africa.
The current President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said: “Tutu is a unique patriot. He is a leader with both principle and pragmatism.”
Dream of “Rainbow Country”
In 1984, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent leadership of the anti-apartheid policy.
When Mandela and other movement leaders were imprisoned, Tutu used his senior position in the Anglican Church and the prestige he brought to the Nobel Peace Prize through visits and speeches to promote the anti-apartheid policy movement around the world. Raise the attention of the outside world to the living conditions of South Africa and the blacks in South Africa.
After Mandela was finally released after nearly 27 years of prison life, Tutu invited him to give his first public speech on the balcony of the Cape Town City Hall.
Tutu likened the voting in South Africa’s first fully democratic election in 1994 to “falling in love.” Tutu was by his side when Mandela was sworn in as the country’s first black president.
South African President Ramaphosa said that the life of Archbishop Tutu proved his hope and strength for the reconciliation of a divided country.
Tutu is also critical of black political elites while preaching against apartheid.
Tutu expressed regret in his later years that the dream of a true “Rainbow Country” has not yet been realized.
(AFP, Deutsche Presse, Reuters)
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