South Africans pay last respects at Desmond Tutu funeral
Thousands of South Africans have been paying their last respects at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town where late Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s body has been lying in state.
The funeral mass for South Africa Archbishop Desmond Tutu is taking place at a cathedral in Cape Town. The main eulogy will be delivered by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the official state funeral on Saturday, where only 100 people are in attendance due to COVID-19 guidelines.
The Archbishop Tutu IP Trust and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation had shared the late religious leaders wishes to include “no ostentatiousness or lavish spending” on the ceremony and that he be given “the cheapest available coffin”.
The only flowers in the cathedral should be a “bouquet of carnations from his family”, the trust firms added.
The BBC had reported on Friday that Mr Tutu would be aquamated – a process using water that is described as an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation.
His ashes are to be interred behind the pulpit at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town – the Anglican diocese he served as Archbishop for 35 years.
Mr Tutu had passed on Boxing Day, after a long-running battle with prostate cancer, which was first diagnosed in 1997.
World leaders such as South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II, former American president Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent out condolence messages to the family of the deceased.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Tinubu taps Jim Ovia to lead Nigerian education loan fund
The prominent Nigerian banker was appointed on Friday.
Heading 4
Liverpool agree compensation with Feyenoord to appoint Arne Slot as new manager
Liverpool had initially shown interest in former player and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
Agriculture
Taraba govt. set to distribute first set of tractors to farmers
“We have so far received 20 Cabrio and 250 mini high powered tractors that would be distributed to our farmers on May 28.”
NationWide
Jonathan mourns Ayogu Eze
The former president commiserated with the Eze family, his political and professional colleagues in the media.
States
Ministry of agriculture rescues 40 cows affected by fumigated rice farm
Mr Olugbon warned that any unregistered abattoir would be raided.
Politics
Ondo 2024: Ayeni emerges NNPP governorship candidate
“I want all members to be together, and get prepared for the main election in November,” he said.