Today we remember Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who exemplified living a courageous and faithful life. Throughout South Africa and the world, he spoke fearlessly against injustices, whether it was apartheid, racism, sexism or homophobia. “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven,” he famously said in 2013. “No, I would say, ‘Sorry, I would much rather go to the other place.’” Tutu was a friend, a spiritual guide and a moral compass for so many South Africans. We are grateful for his leadership, grace and humour. We miss him dearly.
Here are some Cape Town Unitarians (CTU) members’ memories of the Archbishop.
Left to right: Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana of the Unitarian Church in Bujumbura, Burundi; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Community Minister Roux Malan; and Minister Emeritus and former Mayor of Cape Town Gordon Oliver at a Unitarian gathering in Cape Town in 2014. Photo courtesy Roux Malan.
Roux Malan, CTU Community Minister
I was touched when, as part of a small Unitarian delegation, I attended an early morning communion service led by the Archbishop. He included a section in Afrikaans in the liturgy despite the fact that Afrikaans is often considered to be a language of oppression. I was so moved by the Afrikaans section of the communion that I had a lump in my throat. I believe his inclusion of Afrikaans speaks to his deeply held conviction of reconciliation and forgiveness that ran parallel to his deep commitment to social justice and standing on the side of the oppressed and most vulnerable, both of which were grounded in his inclusive Christian faith.
Rev. Gordon Oliver, CTU Minister Emeritus & Mayor of Cape Town from 1989-1991
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (center) and Mayor Gordon Oliver (with his hand linked through Tutu’s arm) marching to Parliament on 13 September, 1989, to protest the South African Police killing people in Khayelitsha. Photo courtesy Gordon Oliver.
I was Cape Town’s deputy mayor in 1989 when the mayor, Peter Muller, walked out of a worship service conducted by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in St. George’s Cathedral a few weeks before the 6th September, 1989, general election. I was not present at the service. But what caused Muller to walk out was Tutu urging his largely white congregation to boycott the coming general elections. The mayor was beside himself with rage! So angry at Tutu’s suggestion was he that he got up from his seat in the front row, and walked out of the service during Tutu’s sermon. Naturally the Press gave this front page news in the next day’s papers. My view was that such behaviour on the part of the Mayor was unacceptable and an insult to the Archbishop. Being a guest of honour on Tutu’s premises, I felt, didn’t permit him to act in this way.
I decided to deal with this situation in my own way. As the incoming mayor in the next few weeks, I decided to visit the Archbishop at his residence in Bishopscourt to discuss this situation. My secretary made an appointment for me and on my arrival, having never previously met the Archbishop, I instantly knew that this had been the right thing to do. I told the Arch that I was about to become mayor in a few weeks’ time and that I wanted to heal any bad blood between his office and mine that had arisen out of the current mayor’s behaviour in publicly walking out of the cathedral. Tutu was joy and grace personified. He received my reaching out to him most warmly, almost with a dance and a jig, as was his wont ... and we got on like old friends. He thanked me profusely for the visit and walked me to my chauffeured car. Neither of us could have imagined the permanent bond that would very soon cement a deep friendship between us.
On the afternoon of my mayoral inauguration, 8th September, 1989, the Arch led a memorial service for the families of victims who have been killed by the South African Police in Khayelitsha the day before. I had no formal engagements following my morning installation and luncheon, so I walked up Adderley Street to the Cathedral. The service had already commenced. Entering the crowded cathedral from the rear entrance, I found a place about three rows from the back. Not wanting to be noticed, I was quite content to sit at the back but someone seated on the platform up front had noticed my entrance and came to fetch me to take a seat amongst the dignitaries, community leaders and families of the Khayelitsha victims on the platform. I was overcome with a sense of something special, and knew that my attending the service was the right thing to do.
At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Tutu announced that there would be a march to Parliament on the following Wednesday, 13th September, to protest against the killings of the Khayelitsha people. He urged all to join that march. As the congregation began to disperse, I suddenly found myself being approached by a member of the Press. “Mr. Mayor, will you participate in that march?” I didn’t bat an eyelid! “Yes, I’ll be there!” I replied, and in that moment, the city and my life changed dramatically! I had unleashed a political storm. Little did I know then what was to occur!
I recall these two highly significant events relating to the Arch and his influence on my public life, the life of our city and country, and for which I give thanks to the Arch. My success in public life emanated very largely from Tutu's exemplary influence on my life.
Shelley Adams (center) hugging her daughter Willow at the UU conference where Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke. Photo courtesy Martha Holmes.
Shelley Adams, former CTU Council Member, and her daughter Willow
Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave a speech at the Unitarian Universalist conference in Cape Town and we were at the Sufi Temple. Afterward, he was getting into his car and everyone followed to say goodbye. As he got into his car, he realised Willow was standing at his car door. And he turned to her and he said, “Can I have a kiss on the cheek?” and she said, “Sure!” and she kissed him on the cheek and he burst out laughing. He said, “You kissed a boy! You kissed a boy! I’m going to tell your Mommy you kissed a boy!” And he was cackling the whole way out of the gate. She was thoroughly confused because he’d asked her for a kiss and then he turned around and teased her. Willow remembers that encounter as playful and a little uncomfortable (she’s now 14). I thought it was really funny and special as a memory and an encounter.