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Desmond Tutu, right, during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Champions Tour on November 11, 2019 in Cape Town.
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Desmond Tutu, then the head of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Committee, pictured in 2004 at Dean's Yard in London. Getty
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Desmond Tutu, third left, pictured with The Elders in Johannesburg. The international NGO is made up of statesmen, peace advocates and human rights activists, and was set up by Nelson Mandela, seated, in 2007. Getty
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On June 23, 1996, South African leader Nelson Mandela bestowed the Order of Meritorious Service on Desmond Tutu at a farewell service at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Described as the country's moral compass, Tutu died on December 26, 2021, aged 90. AFP
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Nelson Mandela holds the Jules Rimet World Cup beside Desmond Tutu. AFP
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Desmond Tutu kisses Archie Mountbatten-Windsor on the head as he is held by his mother, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019. Getty
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The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2006 in Brussels, Belgium. Getty
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US president Barack Obama chats with Archbishop Desmond Tutu following a tour of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. AFP
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Graca Machel, the wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela. AFP
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Desmond Tutu with his wife Nomalizo Leah Tutu and other members of his family pictured in the UK, December, 1984. Getty
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Desmond Tutu greets George Carey, then the Archbishop of Canterbury. Reuters
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Desmond Tutu in 2019. AFP
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Desmond Tutu and former South African president FW de Klerk during the unveiling of statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize winners: de Klerk, Tutu, Chief Albert Luthuli, former president of the African National Congress, and former president Nelson Mandela. AFP
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Desmond Tutu casts his vote in Cape Town during South Africa's first democratic elections, which were held in 1994. AFP
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Desmond Tutu blesses the "human rainbow" concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990. AFP
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Desmond Tutu takes up his position as visiting professor in post-conflict studies at Kings College London in 2004. Getty
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Desmond Tutu speaks during the memorial for Prince Friso in the Old Church in Delft, the Netherlands on November 2, 2013. Getty
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Desmond Tutu, right, during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Champions Tour on November 11, 2019 in Cape Town.
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Desmond Tutu, then the head of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Committee, pictured in 2004 at Dean's Yard in London. Getty
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Desmond Tutu, third left, pictured with The Elders in Johannesburg. The international NGO is made up of statesmen, peace advocates and human rights activists, and was set up by Nelson Mandela, seated, in 2007. Getty
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On June 23, 1996, South African leader Nelson Mandela bestowed the Order of Meritorious Service on Desmond Tutu at a farewell service at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Described as the country's moral compass, Tutu died on December 26, 2021, aged 90. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IYRYUAT5K5XFIYKTIFNADBXA7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=8117262aff6ee0fd8fb221641c64f3b2bc6bd4ebda84f21028b6af5b72b26027&width=400&height=225)
Nelson Mandela holds the Jules Rimet World Cup beside Desmond Tutu. AFP
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Desmond Tutu kisses Archie Mountbatten-Windsor on the head as he is held by his mother, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019. Getty
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The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2006 in Brussels, Belgium. Getty
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US president Barack Obama chats with Archbishop Desmond Tutu following a tour of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. AFP
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Graca Machel, the wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela. AFP
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Desmond Tutu with his wife Nomalizo Leah Tutu and other members of his family pictured in the UK, December, 1984. Getty
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Desmond Tutu greets George Carey, then the Archbishop of Canterbury. Reuters
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Desmond Tutu in 2019. AFP
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Desmond Tutu and former South African president FW de Klerk during the unveiling of statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize winners: de Klerk, Tutu, Chief Albert Luthuli, former president of the African National Congress, and former president Nelson Mandela. AFP
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Desmond Tutu casts his vote in Cape Town during South Africa's first democratic elections, which were held in 1994. AFP
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Desmond Tutu blesses the "human rainbow" concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990. AFP
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Desmond Tutu takes up his position as visiting professor in post-conflict studies at Kings College London in 2004. Getty
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Desmond Tutu speaks during the memorial for Prince Friso in the Old Church in Delft, the Netherlands on November 2, 2013. Getty
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Desmond Tutu, right, during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Champions Tour on November 11, 2019 in Cape Town.
A look back at Desmond Tutu's greatest quotes, from kindness to forgiveness
The archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner has inspired many with his words
![Evelyn Lau](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F326930c8-426e-4292-8915-488062faf4ec.png?smart=true&auth=bf65363a4ec5524d4fde02fe884073b2948f09e3aaac804a1077fa41b77f1ecb&width=70&height=70)
Evelyn Lau
26 December, 2021
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