Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu, the 78 year old who put up a vehement fight against apartheid during the 1980s and the indefatigable crusader of human rights around the world announced his decision to retire from public life.

Tutu who won the Nobel peace prize in 1984 and has never hesitated to use his high profile in fighting against injustice around the world, however maintained that he would continue his association with “The Elders”, a group of prominent figures who work towards world peace and alleviation of poverty.

Desmond Tutu has always been recognised as the leader who brought to the forefront, the abuses suffered by the people of South Africa during the apartheid era. Tutu who was awarded the Albert Schweitzer prize for humanitarianism in the year 1986 has travelled the globe campaigning to promote peace and fight against Aids, homophobia, racism and the like.

Only recently he was seen leading right groups to press Senegal for the trial of Dictator Hissene Habre on charges of mass murder. Tutu has contributed a lot during the years to condemn xenophobia, addressing issues of the people in Third world countries and spreading the message of peace wherever he went. He was an enigma in his own right and the people owe him the solitude he wishes to have.