The ceremony began with a song and a procession down the aisle of the city’s Anglican Cathedral.
The South African anti-apartheid activist, archbishop and peace prize winner died on Christmas Day, aged 90.
According to TheGuardian Church officials saw that Tutu would be buried without lavish expenses or ornaments.
In the cathedral, the Nobel Prize winner lay in a simple coffin made of pine – the most affordable that it was possible to find. He wanted to be cremated and asked for his ashes to be buried under the floor of St George’s behind the cathedral pulpit.
Ever since Tutu’s death, more and more people have visited the cathedral to say goodbye.
– Former South African President Thabo Mbeki (front right) is among those saying goodbye to Desmond Tutu at Cape Town’s St. George’s Cathedral on Saturday. Photo: Nic Bothma / Pool / AP / NTB
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The President read words of remembrance
Tutu died on Christmas Day, aged 90. For the last few days he has been lying on a parade bed.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa read words of remembrance during the funeral ceremony, and former President Thabo Mbeki was also present. It was also former Irish President Mary Robinson and Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel.
The service was led by Michael Nuttall – the white former rector who was “deputy commander” when Tutu was archbishop of Cape Town.
– We were a foretaste of what could be possible in our lost, divided nation, Nuttall said on Saturday.
Reconciling hand
Together with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu was one of the most prominent opponents of the racial segregation regime in South Africa.
With the Bible in hand, Tutu waged a tireless struggle to abolish the brutal racial segregation system. He condemned the white rulers of Pretoria, but at the same time extended a conciliatory hand to the white people.
At the same time, he led an intense campaign to get Western countries to impose sanctions on South Africa. In 1984, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
On Christmas Eve, the church bells in St. George’s Cathedral rang in honor of Tutu. After burial and cremation, the urn with Tutu’s ashes will be placed in the cathedral.
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