27 December 2021
In mourning Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the City said it wanted to celebrate the man who dedicated his life to making the country a peaceful place for all.
Tutu died on Sunday at the age of 90.
Over the next few days, leading up to the official funeral of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the City of Cape Town will be pulling out all the stops to pay homage to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who played a pivotal role in ending apartheid.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said Tutu’s loss was felt very deeply.
“Lighting up the City Hall and Table Mountain will be a powerful image and a reminder to South Africans and to the world of this wonderful, remarkable man whose loss we feel very deeply,” he said.
On funeral arrangements, Hill-Lewis said the lead would be taken by the family, while his church and the City would support them logistically.
“We as the City are doing what we can to pay tribute to his life,” he said.
On Sunday evening, Hill-Lewis oversaw the lighting up of the City Hall and Table Mountain, which was covered in a purple hue – a colour synonymous with Tutu.
The mayor called Tutu the “greatest Capetonian”.
I can’t think of anyone else who comes close to his greatness and moral courage and influence in changing the course of our South African trajectory,” he said.
The landmarks were lit up on Sunday at 20:00 and this will continue every night this week.
The City has also made condolence books available for residents to sign outside St George’s Cathedral and at the Civic Centre.