Retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is dead at age 90. During his life, Tutu always looked for ways to improve the lives of blacks in South Africa. Tutu was an outspoken social rights activist who gained worldwide fame during the 1980s for leading a movement against white minority rule. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his work towards ending racial segregation.
He was also a visitor to Springfield from time to time often times telling students during speeches that they shouldn’t listen to the cynicism of those who say we can’t live in a world without war, hate or economic despair.
President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. The family doctor confirmed Tutu died peacefully in Cape Town Sunday morning.
(WHYN File Photo by John Baibak)