Desmond Tutu: A tribute from King's College London

CAPE TOWN (ANA) – An honoured alumnus of King’s College London, Archbishop Desmond Tutu completed his bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology at the institute that in a moving tribute remembers the impact he made there through his engaging stories.

Following Tutu’s passing on Sunday, President and Principal at King's College London, Professor Shitij Kapur, said Tutu’s contributions to King’s were immense and augmented by frequent visits form the archbishop.

Tutu studied at King’s in the 1960s and graduated in 1966 before returning to South Africa to teach theology. It wasn’t long before he returned to the UK in 1972 where he took up the position as assistant director at the Theological Institute in London.

“Through his sermons, lectures, addresses and acts of worship, and as a teller of wonderful and engaging stories and jokes, he had a seminal effect on students and staff and was a dear friend to many in the King's community,” Kapur said.

In 1975, Tutu made his way back home once again after being appointed the Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg as the first black person to hold that position.

During this time, leading up to the Nobel Peace Prize he was awarded in 1984 for his work to end the injustices of racial segregation, Tutu was a prominent campaigner against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

“His passion for justice, sense of wonder and joy and incredibly infectious laugh will live in our memories and inspire our own lives,” Dean of King's College London, Dr Ellen Clark-King, said.

Meanwhile in South Africa, several events have been planned to honour the life of the anti-apartheid and human rights activist. His body will lie in state for two days before his funeral on Saturday. Tutu has been given a category one state funeral.

– African News Agency (ANA)