With
the passing of South Africa’s beloved archbishop Desmond Tutu, thousands of condolences
have begun to pour in. The anti-apartheid influential figure is survived by his
wife Nomalizo Leah Tutu, and four kids, namely, Mpho Andrea, Naomi Nontombi,
Theresa Thandeka, and son Trevor Thamsanqa .
The
archbishop battled prostate cancer back in the 90s, but after 2015, he would
often be hospitalised due to infections caused by his cancer treatments.
Also Read: From priesthood to championing equality: Key moments of Desmond Tutu’s life
Tutu,
who passed away at the age of 90 today in South Africa’s Cape Town, was married
to Nomalizo for 66 years. Nomalizo Leah is an 88-year-old activist, educator,
and nurse. The South-Africa based activist is also the co-founder of the South
African Domestic Workers Association.
Moreover,
Nomalizo also founded a peace center named after her husband in the year 1998.
Born
on 14 October 1933, Nomalizo supported her
husband in his anti-apartheid efforts, and the duo actively advocated for human
rights in the country.
During
early 1970s, Nomalizo was an assistant at the University of Botswana in Lesotho,
and Swaziland.
Between the years of 1976 and 1984, Nomalizo became the director at the Domestic Workers and
Employers Project of the South African Institute of Race Relations.
In
2000, the couple was awarded a doctorate by the University of National Louis
University.
In 2009, the couple was also felicitated by the We Are Family Foundation with the prestigious Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award.
In 2015, Tutu and Leah decided
to renew their wedding wows and were married until this year. The couple lived
together at a retirement housing facility, right outside Cape Town.
Tutu was a colossal
force in Africa, who helped in eradicating apartheid. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate
gained massive recognition for his sincere work and efforts for human rights,
justice and equality.
Many native Africans
strongly believe that without Tutu, the country would be far behind in its
fight with apartheid.
