The tribute was attended by Tutu’s family, as well as a variety of political and faith leaders. Speeches were given by Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis; Western Cape Premier Alan Winde; South African politician and activist Cheryl Carolus; and Dr Mamphela Ramphele, chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.
“[Tutu’s] life showed that our politics can be big, not small; that our society can be all-encompassing, not exclusive; that most people are basically good and worthy of respect… and that the easiness with which we give way to hate is wrong,” said Hill-Lewis.
The memorial was a celebration of music and the diversity of faith, with performances by the Desmond Tutu tribute band, Zolani Mahola, Fancy Galada, Ard Matthews, Jonathan Butler, the South African Youth Choir and the Gugulethu Tenors.
Elizabeth Hoorn Petersen, founder and executive director of the South African Faith and Family Institute, led a prayer session in which faith leaders from the Khoisan, African traditional, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Hindu and Baháʼí Faith religions gave prayers.
