Former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a staunch opponent of apartheid, has died at the age of 90. South African President Cyril Ramafosa has expressed “on behalf of all South Africans his deepest condolences on his death today, Sunday”, that of the leading figure in South African history, according to a statement.
“The death of the honorary archbishop Desmond Tutu is a new chapter of mourning for our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa”, he said.
Desmond Tutu’s health had deteriorated for several months. He no longer made public speeches, but always greeted the cameras, which were present at his every move, smiling or teasing, such as when he was vaccinated against Covid-19 in a hospital, or during his birthday party in October.
Greek Church reacts to offensive post against Christians by government official Mossialos
Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and has been hospitalized several times in recent years to treat infections associated with his treatment.
“Finally, at the age of 90, he died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Center in Cape Town this morning”, Dr. Ramfella Mamfele said in a statement.