The body of the late Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, will lie in state at the St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town for a second day on Friday.
Clergy and Church wardens will line the streets on Wale and Adderley streets as a guard of honour to pay their respects to the late Archbishop as his body makes its way to the church.
Over 1 000 people made their way to the church on Thursday. The church has advised that no film or photos may be taken inside the cathedral.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s body lies in state at St George’s Cathedral – Day 1:
#RipArchbishopTutu | Archbishop Thabo Makgabo prays as Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s body arrives at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. The Arch to lie in state for two days for members of the public to pay their last respect to #ArchbishopTutu until 5pm today. pic.twitter.com/E4S2nfppyW
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 30, 2021
Deep concern
At a memorial service at Johannesburg’s Saint Mary’s Cathedral earlier on Thursday, Reverend Frank Chikane said Tutu expressed deep concern about South Africa in his last days.
He said Tutu spoke openly on the political landscape in the country, as he felt that what he had fought for was being destroyed.
Chikane paid a moving tribute to Tutu.
“My last encounter with him he was stressed, he was disappointed about what was happening. He did not think that this is what we struggled for and I had to plead with him and I said to him, Arch leave this problem with us – you are too old to worry about it. I told him, we will do whatever is necessary to end this pain of our people,” said Chikane.
VIDEO: Chikane speaks at Tutu’s memorial:
