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The Arch’s statue unveiled

Xola Qetsemani|Published

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s bronze statue was unveiled at the Long March to Freedom display in Century City last week.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s bronze statue was unveiled at the Long March to Freedom display in Century City last week.

A bronze statue of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu was unveiled at the Long March to Freedom historical monument last week.

Dignitaries from government, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, the Archbishop of Cape Town and other guests attended the unveiling held at Century City. There was also a performance by Joe Slovo’s Sinenjongo High School Choir..

Janet Jobson, chief executive officer of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, said the foundation was “delighted that the Arch has been added to the extraordinary pantheon of statues of the heroes of our Long March to Freedom”.

“The Arch, throughout his life, was a powerful activist for peace. He was a global icon of moral courage, and was characterised by a depth of shared humanity. The statue powerfully captures both his spirit and his likeness. We hope many tourists and Capetonians will visit the statue, as well as the Truth to Power exhibition about the Arch’s life, at the Old Granary,” she said.

Guests at the unveiling included the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, chief executive officer of the National Heritage Project, Dali Tambo and the deputy mayor of Cape Town, Eddie Andrews.
The Arch’s statue stands just behind struggle veterans, Nelson and Winnie Mandela.