Home » Happy 85th Birthday to Archbishop Tutu (on World Smile Day)

Happy 85th Birthday to Archbishop Tutu (on World Smile Day)

It’s very fitting that as South Africans and the world celebrate the 85th birthday of one of the most inspiring and happiest men in the world, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, it is also World Smile Day. Well wishes have poured in for South Africa’s beloved ‘Arch’ all morning, with an endless stream of photos of […]

It’s very fitting that as South Africans and the world celebrate the 85th birthday of one of the most inspiring and happiest men in the world, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, it is also World Smile Day.

Well wishes have poured in for South Africa’s beloved ‘Arch’ all morning, with an endless stream of photos of the spiritual man smiling and laughing. 

President Jacob Zuma sent a birthday message saying: “Archbishop Emeritus Tutu has contributed immensely to the freedom and democratic dispensation we achieved as a country.

“He continues to inspire the nation and the world in the promotion of human rights, justice and the wellbeing of all especially the poor. We wish him a joyful birthday, good health and comfort and urge the nation to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers.” 

Tutu birthday messages on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LesPortia/status/784304578556600320

Tutu’s Foundation also posted a special thank you to former President FW de Klerk and the staff at his Foundation for their heartfelt congratulations, in which De Klerk said: “We would like to wish the Archbishop the best of health in the year ahead, and acknowledge his valuable role as a peacemaker, as well as his contribution towards goodwill between all South Africans, and towards South Africa’s constitutional democracy.”

Tutu appeared earlier today at the Morning Eucharist at St George’s Cathedral, held in celebration of his birthday. 

The Arch seen earlier this week: