Tutu Foundation to honour late Archbishop’s wish of a simple funeral

The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation says they will honour the late Archbishop’s wish that there be no lavish spending for his funeral.

In a statement, the Foundation says the Arch made it clear that he wanted the cheapest coffin available and that a bouquet of carnations from his family be the only flowers in the cathedral.

The Arch will lie in state at the St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town for two days – Thursday and Friday. His funeral service will take place at the Cathedral on Saturday.

The Archbishop will be cremated privately and his ashes interred in the Cathedral.

Video Playlist for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu:

South Africans continue to pay tribute to the late Archbishop.

Wreath Layings 

Johannesburg Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse on Wednesday will host a midday prayer meeting and lay flowers at the Tutu House in Soweto.

The public has also been invited to lay wreaths and flowers at the St Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg this week, between 9am and 6pm. Tutu served as the first black dean of this world-famous cathedral.

Road closures

The City of Cape Town says there will be numerous road closures around the City Hall ahead of the interfaith tribute service Wednesday evening in honour of the late Archbishop Tutu. These include Parade, Darling, Buitenkant and Lower Plein streets.

The City says there will be a large screen on the Grand Parade for members of the public who wish to view the service. The public can access the parade from the side of the Castle of Good Hope. The City says the event will also be live-streamed on their social media platforms.

Dalai Lama

International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says she’s not aware of a visa application for Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama to attend Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu’s funeral.

The two close friends co-authored a book on joy and world peace in 2016.

China has taken a hard line on the issue of Tibet and the exiled Dalai Lama over the decades. He was denied a visa to attend Tutu’s 80th birthday celebration in 2011.

Tutu called out the government in 2011 after the Dalai Lama was denied permission to attend his birthday party.

Minister Pandor, who came to pay her respects to Tutu’s family, says she’s not aware of any request for a visa application for the Dalai Lama, adding that her department does not deal with visas.

“Foreign affairs does not prohibit a person from entering the country. People apply for visas through Home Affairs and its dealt with as an immigration matter solely. We have not been approached for any protocol assistance. We are not aware of anyone who will be attending the funeral on Saturday and there had not been any request directed to my department,” says Pandor.

R.I.P Desmond Tutu | A look back at Tutu’s legacy with the Dalai Lama:

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Book of condolences: