RIP Desmond Tutu

[cookiemonster]

Passed away in Cape Town age 90.

An amazing man with an amazing life.

 

[sheddy]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu

 

[ianrauk]

Sad news An amazing man indeed.

 

[Beebo]

One of those people who always seemed to have a smile on his face. RIP.

 

[bonzobanana]

Near impossible to dislike, always motivated and happy with a decent moral compass.

 

[Toshiba Boy]

Top man, one of the few religious guys I, as an atheist, liked to listen to. RIP Desmond Tutu.

 

[DCLane]

He was the political face of a grassroots movement to bring the different racial communities together in South Africa, which many didn't agree with at that time.

SWMBO's family were part of that in the late 70's / early 80's, and it'll be a sad day in SA and in their family.

RIP and a life lived well.

 

[winjim]

I thought he died a long time ago.

 

[Dogtrousers]

He used to live in Catford.

View: https://twitter.com/lewishamledger/status/1475024904814747651?t=kufGk67SmUudNPeJeROOvw&s=19

 

[Pale Rider]

Nothing I can add to his political achievements, so here's a trivial reference.

When my mate Jim had his minicab firm in London in the 80s all the drivers had a radio call sign - central - and a number, usually two figures.

Central 22 almost inevitably acquired the nickname of the bishop.

The holder of that number, a Welshman by the name of Noel, also has the dubious distinction of being the only person I've vaguely known to have been murdered.

He was seeing a lass much younger than him who was part of a fairly heavy duty criminal family.

They warned him off her a few times, he ignored the warnings (as did she), so the next stage was to stab him to death in his car as he was ranked up under a railway bridge in Bow.

Never solved, the why it happened was pretty much nailed on, but the who remained elusive.

 

[Arrowfoot]

A clear voice of reason during trouble times and after. His greatest achievement has to be the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There was no desire to seek retribution or revenge. It was a concept foreign to many but it had powerful outcomes. I watched it in awe at the proceedings.

Years later I went to Soweto to see the houses of Mandela and Tutu for some sense of spiritual connection. There was a sense of tremendous calm as I left. One of the few decent things I did with my life.

 

[Tribansman]

Nothing I can add to his political achievements, so here's a trivial reference.

When my mate Jim had his minicab firm in London in the 80s all the drivers had a radio call sign - central - and a number, usually two figures.

Central 22 almost inevitably acquired the nickname of the bishop.

The holder of that number, a Welshman by the name of Noel, also has the dubious distinction of being the only person I've vaguely known to have been murdered.

He was seeing a lass much younger than him who was part of a fairly heavy duty criminal family.

They warned him off her a few times, he ignored the warnings (as did she), so the next stage was to stab him to death in his car as he was ranked up under a railway bridge in Bow.

Never solved, the why it happened was pretty much nailed on, but the who remained elusive.

Interesting anecdote but very tenuous reference!
Prefer his name being used for the degree classification. I really hope every honorary degree he was ever given (loads according to Wikipedia) was specified as a 2:2.

Agree as someone without any faith that he was one of the religious figures I always had time for. He seemed much more everyman than most and didn't have any of the smug piousness of your Rowan Williamses, your George Careys, your Cormac O'Connors

 

[Pale Rider]

Prefer his name being used for the degree classification. I really hope every honorary degree he was ever given (loads according to Wikipedia) was specified as a 2:2.

Ah yes, that's another one.

I've heard Durham University students refer to a 2:2 as a Desmond.

 

[Blue Hills]

Nothing I can add to his political achievements, so here's a trivial reference.

When my mate Jim had his minicab firm in London in the 80s all the drivers had a radio call sign - central - and a number, usually two figures.

Central 22 almost inevitably acquired the nickname of the bishop.

The holder of that number, a Welshman by the name of Noel, also has the dubious distinction of being the only person I've vaguely known to have been murdered.

He was seeing a lass much younger than him who was part of a fairly heavy duty criminal family.

They warned him off her a few times, he ignored the warnings (as did she), so the next stage was to stab him to death in his car as he was ranked up under a railway bridge in Bow.

Never solved, the why it happened was pretty much nailed on, but the who remained elusive.

Top thread hop there Mr rider.

 

[Blue Hills]

I used to go to a fair few anti apartheid things in london when that evil regime was in power, excused and white-washed by many.
Well remember hearing him speak in Hyde Park - an incredible blend of calm justified moral anger, fury, humanity and humour.
I'm an atheist, at times verging on virulent, but if anyone could have got me to jump onboard it would be Tutu.
Especially when you think of so many of his compatriots through the ages who have glossed/pandered to evil regimes.
RIP Desmond.
I sense that there will be a strong thread of celebration as part of the mourning process in SA.