It is 2013 and throngs of people have gathered for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in FNB Stadium, Soweto. Archbishop Desmond Tutu scans the roaring crowd before him, slowly turning his greyed head from one corner of the stadium to the other. Finally, he speaks, hands outstretched. “I stand here as an old man. And I want to remind you that we got to this point because we were disciplined. So, I am not going to give you a blessing until all of you stand! Phakamani!
The speakers behind him laugh and older honourees grudgingly strain to their feet. Archbishop Tutu wags his fingers at the laughing crowd, shushing them to silence (“I want to hear a pin drop!”). Only when the birds above the stadium can be heard does Tutu give his blessing.
Source: AFP
Acceptance, not tolerance
An interviewer sits between Archbishop Tutu and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He leans forward to begin the formal discussion, directing a question at the Tibetan spiritual leader, who appears to be smiling at something. The interviewer doesn’t get far. “Listen!” Interrupts Archbishop Tutu, wagging his finger at the Dalai Lama with each word, “Act like a holy man!” The camera crew whoops with laughter and warmth fills the room.
Sources: Kyodo, MAXPPP Pictures Alliance
The iconic friendship between Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama stands as a message of acceptance in the face of religious and cultural differences. “It doesn’t matter where we worship or what we call God; there is only one, interdependent human family,” said Archbishop Tutu. This celebration of diverse states of being extended to topics like LGBTQA+ rights — a contentious topic in religious circles. In his typically direct style, Archbishop Tutu declared that he would "refuse to go to a homophobic heaven”. His ability to embrace his faith while simultaneously critiquing the religious status quo showcases the profound difference between merely tolerating difference and sincerely accepting a person irrespective of their variance.
Speaking the truth, however inconvenient
A history of support for the ANC and a close relationship with (arguably) its most iconic leader, Nelson Mandela, didn't dissuade Archbishop Tutu from critiquing corruption and poor leadership in the political party.
Loyal to truth and opposed to blind devotion, Archbishop Tutu never held back when his moral consciousness guided him to speak on behalf of the disempowered. In a 2014 press conference, he famously declared that he would not vote for the ANC despite decades of close alignment, struggle, and significant personal investment. “I say it again with a very sore, very heavy heart because, on the whole, they have been close to the kind of things we dreamt about”. Although he conceded that the ruling party had achieved socio-economic reform that gave South Africans a reason to feel proud, he unapologetically explained why his vote would nevertheless go elsewhere. “We dreamt about a society that would be compassionate, a society that really made people feel they mattered. You can't do that in a society where you have people who go to bed hungry, where many of our children still attend classes under trees”.
He had that rare gift not simply of making you believe that you were the only person he wanted to talk to, but of actually making this a reality.
In a vital lesson about critically interrogating one’s political affiliation according to independent reasoning, rather than historical precedent or fear, he encouraged South Africans to “think when you're making that cross and remember that it is going to decide what quality of life you are going to have for the next five years”.
Choosing joy and loving people
From birth, Archbishop Tutu celebrated his life and other people. He did so with a flair for humour and mischief — a trait his friends and colleagues remember fondly. Prominent priest, composer, and author Christopher Chivers remarks that “humour was never far away. He could indeed be extremely naughty”.
Chivers recalls that his friend always had time for people, whether they were world leaders or children. “He had that rare gift not simply of making you believe that you were the only person he wanted to talk to, but of actually making this a reality”.
Source: Carla de Souza/ AFP
Archbishop Tutu shuffles to the podium to address young delegates at the 2010 One Young World Opening Ceremony. He opens with a funny anecdote and chats with the thousands-strong audience as though they were having tea in his living room. But when he turns to more serious matters, his power and influence silences the crowd. “God is going to be using you to say to us oldies, Hey! When are you going to get it into your head! Just look at how much you are spending on guns when a very, very, very small fraction of your budget would ensure that children everywhere in the world had clean water to drink”.
The young delegates drink in his words and applause echoes through the venue. “I come to you and say, hey!—” Archbishop Tutu pauses, peering over the rim of his glasses, a grin spreading across his face. “Just go on being idealistic; just go on dreaming that we are going to have a different kind of world.” — Holly Charlton
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