Table Mountain and the Cape Town City Hall will be lit up in purple until the day of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s funeral. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says this is the colour that was synonymous with the archbishop.
Hill-Lewis joined scores of people outside the St Georges Cathedral where the City has opened a book of condolences where people can leave messages.
The City of Cape Town has been quick out of the blocks in making preparations for what is likely to be a hive of activity around the cathedral. Streets have already been cordoned off with parking restricted in the vicinity of Wale and Queen Victoria Streets.
Hill-Lewis says, “We hope that as that image of Cape Town’s iconic TM covered in purple light goes around the world that is a reminder of his wonderful life and contribution and it helps us to remember and celebrate that contribution.”
Heartwarming to see residents are coming out at night to see the City Hall and Cathedral lit up in purple, in celebration of the Arch’s life. The mountain is shrouded in mist tonight. A clearer night tomorrow, hopefully. pic.twitter.com/rt1BbxU7Lh
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) December 26, 2021
The Mayor says Cape Town was blessed to have Tutu as one of its residents. “Just so much of his life and contribution to SA resonates with his residency here in Cape Town. This is where his residency was as archbishop, it’s where all his incredible political activism started as part of the UDF., it started here in Mitchels Plain. He was so synonymous with this city and the great moral voice of truth in the darkest day of apartheid mainly from his seat here in the arch-diocese. It is difficult to think of a greater Capetonian, he’s just a wonderful blessing to us all. We are just fortunate that he chose Cape Town as his home for all these decades,” Hill-Lewis adds.
Ordinary Capetonians also came in their droves to pay their respects. Suzan Lewis from a resettled resident of District Six says “The archbishop I maintain was a wonderful man. I am an Anglican and he set a perfect example. To me, he was God’s Angel. And he spoke truth to power. Not scared of anybody. What was wonderful was he regarded everybody the same. Whether you are high class or somebody from the street. He treated everybody the same and I loved him.”
There are also those who still remember him being at the forefront of the many struggles that were waged against apartheid in the City.
Tutu was an international figure.
Among those who came to pay tribute were nationals of other countries.
The city is planning other memorial activities in consultation with the Tutu family and the church.
R.I.P Desmond Tutu | City of Cape Town to light Table Mountain and the City Hall
