Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s city of Cape Town was on Wednesday marking the birthday of its most famous resident.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has been a moral beacon for the entire continent for many years, turned 84 amid concerns that his health is deteriorating.
The Nobel Laureate has been admitted to hospital on several occasions in recent months due to a recurring infection. He is currently recovering at his home.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said several activities were being held in his honour, including a public reconciliation walk through the city and an interfaith church service.
In addition, the city will also hand over a 200-year-old building, which has been donated to preserve the work of the Tutu Legacy Foundation.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela delivered the annual peace lecture in his honour in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Pacem in Terris Award in 1987, the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007 and South Africa Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
He is widely regarded as “South Africa’s moral conscience” and was described by the late President Nelson Mandela as “the voice of the voiceless”.
Photo: Benny Gool / Oryx Media
