Archbishop Tutu, Leader of South Africa's Anti-Racism Struggle, Passes Away at 90

The late Desmond Tutu, Honorary Archbishop of the Anglican Church of South Africa [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Desmond Tutu, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church who led the struggle to abolish apartheid (racial segregation policy) in South Africa and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away on the 26th (local time) at the age of 90.

The South African presidential office announced Archbishop Tutu's passing in a statement on the same day. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences, saying, "Archbishop Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was a universal human rights advocate encompassing not only the religious community but also secular fields."

Archbishop Tutu led the fight to abolish apartheid from the 1970s and was selected as the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1984. After apartheid was abolished in 1990 and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, he served as the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, leading racial integration.

Archbishop Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and had been battling the illness since. His most recent public appearance was in May when he received the COVID-19 vaccine with his wife, Mrs. Leah. On his 90th birthday on October 7, he attended a special mass held at St. George's Cathedral.

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