Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa announced the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu this morning. Ramaphosa praised the life and works of Archbishop Desmond Tutu while he was alive.

According to the president, “In his richly inspiring yet challenging life, Desmond Tutu overcame tuberculosis, the brutality of the apartheid security forces and the intransigence of successive apartheid regimes. Neither Casspirs, teargas nor security agents could intimidate him or deter him from his steadfast belief in our liberation.

“He remained true to his convictions during our democratic dispensation and maintained his vigor and vigilance as he held leadership and the burgeoning institutions of our democracy to account in his inimitable, inescapable, and always fortifying way…”

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilon Tutu was a South African bishop and theologian, known for his advocacy for human rights as well as his activism for anti-apartheid. He dedicated his life to using his pulpit to preach against racial inequality.

In 1997, the anti-apartheid hero was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent successful treatment in the United States. However, he was readmitted to the hospital for recurring infections while remaining in high spirits.

Tributes have poured in since the announcement of his death this morning. The Queen of England, Barack Obama, former president of the United States, and other notable figures have shared their tributes to South Africa’s moral compass.

Archbishop Tutu is survived by his wife Leah, who has also made a notable contribution to the freedom and development of South Africa’s democracy. They met while in college and shared four children.

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