C’oncluding a week of commemorations for a South African icon, Desmond Tutu‘s funeral service, meticulously planned by the late archbishop himself, took place Saturday at Cape Town‘s Anglican cathedral—a site deeply intertwined with his long fight against apartheid.
Under a softly falling rain and overcast skies, a gathering of family, friends, dignitaries—including the widow of former President F.W. de Klerk—and numerous clergy members assembled within the church.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy after Holy Communion, presenting Tutu’s wife, affectionately known as “Mama Leah” by South Africans, with a national flag—the sole military honor permitted for the occasion.
This simple, unpretentious ceremony reflected “The Arch’s” wishes for a modest send-off.
For two days prior, Tutu’s casket, a simple pine construction, as per his request for affordability in a society where funerals often become extravagant displays of wealth, lay in Saint George’s Cathedral. Thousands paid their respects, remembering his unwavering activism and boundless enthusiasm.
Instead of ornate gold handles, simple rope was used, reminiscent of Franciscan monk’s belts. A single arrangement of white carnations adorned the top, fulfilling Tutu’s preference for minimal floral arrangements within the church.
Former Bishop Michael Nuttall, a close friend and longtime associate, delivered the sermon, having served as Tutu’s second-in-command during his time as archbishop.
Their collaboration during apartheid’s final years, a partnership between a “dynamic Black leader and his white deputy,” presented a powerful
Please provide the news article you wish me to analyze. I need the text of the article to fulfill your request. The provided search results offer guidance on *how* to analyze news articles ([[1]], [[2]], [[3]]), but I need the article itself to perform the analysis.
