CORRECTION: This story has been changed to add in the correct name of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s daughter. We previously said Reverend Mpho Tutu instead of her sister, Reverend Naomi Tutu
Reverend Naomi Tutu has thanked all those who honoured and paid tribute to her father, the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu during the week of the mourning.
She was speaking during the special official funeral service of her father at the St George’s Cathedral where his remains will also be interred after his cremation.
“Actually it’s a two-way street because we shared him with the world, you shared part of the love you have for him with us. And so we are thankful. We are thankful that many of you have gathered in many places, in person or via the wonders of technology to be a part of celebrating daddy’s life throughout this week,” says Tutu’s daughter.
Below is the live stream of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Funeral Service
Meanwhile, former President Kgalema Motlanthe and former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka are among those who are attending the funeral.
Motlanthe has described Tutu as the moral compass.
“Archbishop is our moral compass and he’s done his bit. He has had good innings. All we can say now is to command him to the high heavens and that he rest in eternal peace.”
Mlambo-Ngcuka says people will remember Tutu for trying hard to make the world better.
Earlier, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has expressed sadness for missing the funeral of his long-time friend.
He has attributed his absence to concerns around traveling during COVID-19 times.
Representative of the Dalai Lama, Ngodup Dorjee is in attendance at St Georges Cathedral in Cape Town on his behalf.
Dorjee explains that an additional reason is that His Holiness is still struggling to obtain a South African visa.
Tutu had often criticized the government for denying the Dalai Lama entry due to tensions with China.
He says this is a tough time for the spiritual leader.-Additional reporting by Noma Bolani
Below is the full interview with a representative of the Dalai Lama, Ngodup Dorjee:
