For more than 60 years, Archbishop Emeritus Tutu and his wife, Leah, have campaigned tirelessly to advance the cause of human rights, justice, reconciliation and the values enshrined in the Constitution. And as the first black Archbishop of the Anglican Church, Tutu made history across the world for the central role he played during and following apartheid.
Says Mayor de Lille: “I am reminded of the many meetings he convened at St George’s Cathedral, which became a common meeting point for activism and resistance in the struggle.”
From the steps of “the people’s church”, situated in Wale Street in the Cape Town CBD, Archbishop Tutu led numerous marches and campaigns, mobilising masses in the fight for freedom.
In April, the City announced plans to honour the Archbishop Tutu and Mama Leah and assist in preserving and promoting their legacy of peace by leasing the Old Granary building in Buitenkant Street to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.
One of the objectives of the Legacy Foundation is to position Cape Town as a world capital for the intellectual and practical pursuit of local and global peace, morality and human dignity. According to De Lille, this speaks to the City’s vision of building a caring and inclusive city, and will help to position Cape Town as a capital of peace and reconciliation.
Next week, on Mama Leah’s birthday – 14 October – the City’s will host an event at the Old Granary building. This will signal the start of the refurbishment of the Old Granary and the start of creating a space that will continue the great work of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.
On 28 October 2015, they mayor will dedicate her Council speech to Archbishop Tutu and will make a pledge to recommit the City to embracing the values and principles that the Arch stands for into its governance work.
On 16 December 2015, the City will host a Reconciliation Walk and interfaith service to celebrate Archbishop Tutu and Mama Leah as well as the many leaders and men and women who took up the cause for a free and fair society.
“We would like to honour the Arch as a Freeman of the City and a principled man and leader who not only spoke truth to power during apartheid but continued to do so in our new democracy,” says Mayor de Lille.