I find myself profoundly saddened by the departure of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and simultaneously in celebration of his rich legacy. Amid these mixed emotions, I mourn the loss of a brother, my loyal friend and my spiritual leader.
Arch is the last of an extraordinarily outstanding generation of leaders that Africa birthed and gifted to the world. I, as a Mozambican, can recall a time where the struggle against Apartheid was epitomized by the faces and voices of three giants: the exiled and revolutionary Oliver Tambo booming across radios and televisions on the world stage; the imprisoned yet omnipresent symbol of resistance that was Nelson Mandela; and Desmond Tutu, the leader from inside South Africa whose messages were too penetrating to be ignored and whose voice too powerful to be silenced.
From the pulpit, skilfully wielding his moral authority, Arch passionately condemned Apartheid and eloquently pressed for sanctions against the racist regime. In a style unique unto himself, he masterfully used his position as a cleric to mobilize South Africans, Africans, and the global community against the brutalities and immorality of the Apartheid government. Fighting for freedom from the trenches of South Africa required courage that cannot be described. Day by day, minute by minute, every step he took he was shaping the course of history. Every sentence he spoke impacted the lives of millions, and both unified and empowered those in the noble struggle against Apartheid. How momentous a weight this must have been to shoulder. And yet he stood resolute and fearless, leading demonstrations cloaked in his flowing clerical robe with his cross as his shield—the embodiment of humankind’s moral conscience.
And his voice of reason reverberated throughout the transition to democracy. Amid the unspeakable horrors of Apartheid, there was a desperate need to initiate a process for accountability and healing. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established, it required someone steeped in faith, morality, impartiality, integrity and a boundless capacity for empathy to steer its momentous course. Madiba appointed Arch as its Chairman, and the decision to have Tutu steward such a crucial building block of South Africa’s democracy was one masterstroke of the Mandela administration.
I recognize that the reconciliation process is unfinished and some young Africans have misgivings about the efficacy of the TRC. It is my hope that the youth of today, who have not experienced the brutalities of Apartheid in the flesh, will grow to understand the historic challenges Arch and those of his generation faced, and how they navigated them to the best of their abilities under the complex circumstances which they found themselves.
Many, like Arch, walked the tightrope, negotiating ways and means to save lives and avert war, recognizing the pain and suffering of victims, and simultaneously trying to hold to account the guilty and bring about healing to countless millions. Arch was guided through the minefields of nation-building by his deep commitment to justice and respect for human rights and human dignity. Being aware I might be biased, I bow to the courage of how the TRC was led. Arch created a moral space to confront both the oppressors and the victims and recognized that freedom had to be enjoyed alongside the respect for human rights. From the time of Apartheid until the end of his life, Arch’s leadership in the pursuit of justice has been unparalleled.
To the young generations of South Africa, Southern Africa, and Africa – it is in your hands now to cultivate your own outstanding leadership to meet the challenges of your time. You have your own historic mission at hand. Take inspiration from Arch’s life to carve out your own legacy.
Arch’s long list of charitable acts and social activism are too many to enumerate here, but I especially hold dear the instrumental role he played in the leadership of “The Elders”. At Madiba’s request, he accepted to Chair “The Elders” and led the organization in our work to advance equality, justice and freedom globally. I have come to revere Arch’s leadership. Having experienced it at a public and private level, I am overwhelmed by the void this departure and closure of this chapter leaves in our society and in the world.
And on a most intimate note, history will record that Arch was the guiding light that brought Madiba and I together in our formal union. He encouraged us to respect and perform the rituals of marriage our society demands. I am forever and deeply grateful to him for his wise counsel and loving support.
To my very dear sister, Leah: I stand in tender solidarity with you and your family. Arch’s departure leaves a void that is impossible to fill in the public space, and this loss is even more acutely felt in the heart and in the home. I am and will be always here for you. I am holding your hand as you walk along the hauntingly beautiful journey of living with a giant, while also living without him.
Rest in Peace, Arch, my dear brother. My love and deep respect to you always, your sister Graça.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.