Desmond Tutu “was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action,” said the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, as he led tributes from around the world for the giant of the anti-apartheid campaign and South Africa’s political reconstruction who died yon Sunday aged 90.
Echoing messages from across the worlds of religion, politics and activism, Mr Welby said the former Archbishop of Cape Town was not only a great man but had a wonderful and infectious charisma.
“He just had this extraordinary, bubbly, overwhelming sense of humour. I mean you laughed the whole time when you met him,” Mr Welby told the BBC.
As well as defying South Africa’s apartheid authorities, Mr Tutu played a vital role in the transition to democracy, including chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which smoothed the way for a peaceful transition to full and free democracy.
