Bishop Tutu's death an "enormous loss" said President Ramaphosa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

South-African president Cyril Ramaphosa, on Monday December 27, visited the home of late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Ramaphosa said that South Africa was "enormously diminished" by the death of Tutu who along with Nelson Mandela was described as an "outstanding leader".

"A lot of great things can be said about him. His global status, the love that he was and is being showered with from across the various countries in the world just speaks volumes of what he stood for and what people see... saw in him as a great leader. " Ramaphosa said.

The president’s visit follows a visit by other high-ranking ANC members who gathered at the Tutu home earlier to pay their last respect to the hero.

The world has been morning the churchman since his demise was announced on Sunday December 26. Queen Elizabeth II, US President Joe Biden, Pope Francis and former US president Barack Obama have all paid their last respect eulogized the ant apartheid icon.

Tutu is survived by his wife 66-year-old Leah Tutu and their four children.

South Africa is holding a week of mourning for the Nobel Peace Prize winner and fierce opponent of the country's apartheid regime, who died Sunday at the age of 90.

Desmond Tutu was the first black cleric to be elected as the Bishop of Johannesburg before being inaugurated in 1986 as the first black cleric to become Archbishop of Cape Town.

He also served as the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and as Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, as a mark of deep respect, declared that the late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu be accorded a Special Official Funeral. The Special Official Funeral will take place in St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, on New Year’s Day, Saturday, 1 January 2022.

This designation is enabled by the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual.

The distinguishing features of a Special Official Funeral – Category 1 include ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force.

On this particular occasion and based on the late Archbishop’s wishes, the SANDF ceremonial content will be limited to the handing over of the National Flag to Mam Leah Tutu.

As part of this funeral designation, the National Flag will be half-masted throughout the country and at South African diplomatic missions worldwide from sunset today, 28 December 2022, until the evening of the funeral.

The funeral will be held in compliance with the provisions of the Covid-19 health regulations that apply under Adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national state of disaster. - Africa