Tutu served with utmost commitment: Buthelezi

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Former President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi says the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu served South Africa with utmost commitment.

Tutu died on Sunday morning at his home in Cape Town at age 90.

In a statement, Buthelezi says: “Archbishop Tutu served his country with utmost commitment. He was a man of faith and strong convictions who sought freedom for the oppressed. His contribution to the liberation struggle will forever be honoured in the telling of history, and his pursuit of reconciliation between black and white will stand as his life’s testimony.”

“As we grieve this great loss, Archbishop Tutu will be honoured for his humanity, his compassion and his capacity for forgiveness. He represented exactly what was needed as our country, and the world, transitioned from racial injustice to deepening democracy. We are grateful for his life and his service.”

Buthelezi also reflected on his friendship with Tutu.

“It is no secret, of course, that Archbishop Tutu and I did not always see eye to eye. There were moments during our liberation struggle when his actions were difficult to understand, yet we were in the midst of a tempest. I have no doubt that we were both following our conscience and doing what we believed to be right.”

“This is underscored by the friendship we came to know over the last decade of his life. Our faith and our unquestionable love of country were a formidable binding agent. I thank the Lord Almighty for granting us both such length of years, so that we could reach a place of friendship, having walked such a difficult road for South Africa,” adds Buthelezi.

“Embodiment of Ubuntu”

The GOOD party has also paid tribute to Tutu, saying he was a role model who embodied the ancient wisdoms of the golden rule of human reciprocity and Ubuntu.

The party says Tutu dared to paint a picture of inclusivity, tolerance, dignity and justice in our country.

GOOD Secretary-General, Brett Herron, says: “He worked for a myriad of good causes, from climate change to justice in Palestine, to justice for members of the LGBTQI+ community. South Africa and the world will be significantly poorer for his passing. To Mama Leah Tutu, the couples four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we send our most heartfelt condolences.”

TRC prosecutions

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) says the prosecution of cases emanating from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be a fitting tribute to the late Archbishop Tutu.

Tutu served as the chairperson of the TRC which investigated South Africa’s apartheid atrocities.

SACP Spokesperson Dr Alex Mashilo says finding closure for all the victims of the country’s terrible past as captured by the TRC would be a good memory for the late Archbishop.

Meanwhile, Botswana’s former president Ian Khama has also paid tribute to Tutu.

Khama has described him as a man who as a “marvel when it came to standing up for people’s rights.”

Khama pays tribute:

 

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