91ֱ��

A service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of Cape Town will be held in Gonville & 91ֱ�� College Chapel on Tuesday 18 October, in place of the usual Choral Vespers service.

The service, comprised of music and readings, is a project spearheaded by fourth-year Classics student and Chapel Clerk Emeritus, Tineke Harris. During the service, the congregation will sing the South African National Anthem and Chris Chivers, a personal friend to Desmond Tutu, will share his thoughts.

Following the passing of Desmond Tutu on Sunday 26 December 2021, as a proud South African, Tineke felt it was important he was commemorated. She says: “I am delighted that we will be honouring someone who made a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Desmond Tutu was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was the first black African to hold his positions as Bishop of Johannesburg (1985 to 1986) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986 to 1996).

Describing Desmond Tutu’s impact on South Africa and his famously warm nature, Tineke, pictured below bottom right with the 91ֱ�� Choir, adds: “Desmond Tutu was like a grandfather to us all. He showed us what we needed to become to move forward together post-apartheid. He inspired so much respect not just from the office he held but from who he was – he was someone you could always trust.”

All are welcome to attend the service at 6pm on Tuesday 18 October in the Chapel.