The Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Mrs Leah Tutu,
The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba,
The Dean of St George’s Cathedral, the Very Reverend Michael Weeder,
Dr John M Templeton Jr., Templeton Foundation,
Bishop Margaret Vertue of the Diocese of False Bay,
Reverend Mpho Tutu, Executive Director of the Desmond and Leah Tutu
Legacy Foundation
Good afternoon, goeiedag, molweni,
It gives me great pleasure to be addressing you here today.
But today is not about me or my words.
Today is about one of our living national treasures, Archbishop Desmond
Tutu, and honouring his incredible achievement.
But, as always with the Arch, we consider his works in a lifetime of triumphs.
He has won the Nobel Prize and has been awarded the freedom of this city.
These accolades were given in recognition of his contribution to advancing the causes of human rights and dignity in our society.
Most significant was the role that the Arch played in dismantling the
Apartheid system.
Not only did he act as the resistance movement, and indeed the nation’s moral conscience, he led from the front lines and in so doing literally faced down the full might of a militarised state.
I have had the honour of knowing Archbishop Tutu for a long time and I am pleased to say that he is still leading from the front.

He is one of the few voices in our society who is willing to still speak truth to power, no matter the consequences.
In an age where some people have tried to appropriate moral power for themselves, the Arch is willing to confront them head on, not from a place of politics but from a place of conscience.
And it is from that place of conscience that he has spoken to the spirit of this country, reminding us what we fought for and why.
And it is because of that spiritual voice that our hope, the hope of 1994, lives on.
Archbishop Tutu today receives the Templeton Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the world, which is awarded to a living person who has made, and I quote: ‘An exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works’.
To me, that sounds like the perfect description of Archbishop Tutu, who continues to fight with every part of his being for social justice.
Archbishop Tutu joins the likes of Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama in receiving this award, which is fitting company for the pillar of justice, not only for South Africa but for the world.
Archbishop Tutu, and Mama Leah, on behalf of the people of Cape Town, let me congratulate you and say thank you for your determination, your drive, your sacrifices and above all for the example of your humble leadership.
Thank you, baie dankie, enkosi.