Desmond Tutu — Photos Of The Late Anti-Apartheid Leader

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December 28, 2021 11:03AM EST

Desmond Tutu leaves a legacy of heroic human rights activism. See photos of the anti-apartheid leader here.

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Demond Tutu: Photos Of The Late Activist

Demond Tutu: Photos Of The Late Activist — The world mourned the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died on December 26, 2021 in his native South Africa at the age of 90. The Anglican cleric was an iconic human rights advocate, fighting tirelessly to end apartheid, South Africa’s official policy of racial segregation.

In 1984, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent anti-apartheid efforts. When the practice was finally abolished in the 90s. Tutu became the country’s chair for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, alongside friend Nelson Mandela, who became the first president of the country.

“He was larger than life, and for so many in South Africa and around the world his life has been a blessing,” the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement. “His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies.”

Desmond Tutu is seen here speaking at the “So the World May Hear” Awards Gala in Minnesota in 2014.

Click through the gallery to see some of Desmond’s best pics through the years.

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Desmond Tutu Arrives At South Africa World Economic Forum

Desmond Tutu Arrives At South Africa World Economic Forum — Desmond Tutu arrives with Philipp Rosler at the World Economic Forum in South Africa in 2015. Desmond gave speeches around the world on his vast activism experience.

Tutu famously said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

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Desmond Tutu Speaks At Press Conference In Spain

Desmond Tutu Speaks At Press Conference In Spain — Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives the 26th International Prize of Catalunya in Spain in 2014. The South African leader spoke at a press conference before the ceremony.

The Archbishop wrote in his 2004 book God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time, “When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others.”

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Desmond Tutu Speaks At Starkey Hearing Foundation 2014

Desmond Tutu Speaks At Starkey Hearing Foundation 2014 — Archbishop Desmond Tutu is seen on the red carpet at the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So the World May Hear” Awards Gala in 2014. The event took place in St. Paul, Minnesota

He once said of God, “We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low.”

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Desmond Tutu Speaks At South Africa Mandela Memorial

Desmond Tutu Speaks At South Africa Mandela Memorial — Desmond Tutu speaks at the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. Desmond considered Nelson a close friend.

Talking about his time working in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, he once said, “Enemies are always friends waiting to be made.”

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