Even before the clock struck 12 in South Africa on Thursday, heralding the official start to Archbishop Desmond Tutu's 90th birthday, congratulatory wishes had already been pouring in from all corners of the globe. Different area codes, different time zones. The popularity of the anti-apartheid and human rights activist remains as high as ever.
What Tutu’s eyes have seen in that time is fascinating. The second World War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, a 'new' South Africa, the continent's first ever football World Cup (this time for Afrika!), a TV personality voted in as president of the United States. The Arch, as he is fondly known, has witnessed or been part of some of the most important news events across the 20th and 21st centuries.
Desmond Mpilo Tutu's storied life is well documented and publicised. In fact - just type his name into Google and it will return 9.59 million results with a single stroke of the keypad. Such is the popularity of one of South Africa, no - Africa, no - the world's favourite sons.
It is always a special occasion when the Arch adds another year to his celebrated life. Tutu retired from public life a few years ago, but the world will get a rare glimpse of the clergyman on Thursday.
A starcast of thousands has been working tirelessly to pull together special events to mark the Arch's 90th birthday, including a thanksgiving service at St George's Cathedral in the heart of Cape Town. A select number of guests will be allowed.
And that group of incredibly special people, slogging away behind the scenes to make this Tutu's most memorable birthday yet, includes three relatively unassuming human beings. All of their lives have been touched in some way by the Archbishop.
The first character in this story is Edson Sabajo, co-founder of global fashion company Patta. His brand, described as "the new school of old school streetwear" has done collaborations with nearly all of the major players like Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Asics. And they've provided apparel for international football clubs like Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan and Juventus. Patta's production schedule is actually full until 2023, with orders still coming in. But Sabajo instructed his factory to stop what they were doing, and instead prioritise the production of 300 limited edition t-shirts for the Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust. Tutu has long been a patron of the organisation and has been central to fundraising efforts and elevating the profile of the Trust.
"For me it was a no-brainer," said Sabajo. "We had to start immediately. We wanted to have the best quality. We didn't want to make it a normal t-shirt and just print something on it, it really had to have the Patta feel and the Patta quality. And we made it happen. Because it is for the Archbishop."
Patta t-shirts normally retail for R1125 each.
Sabajo jetted into the city with his entire family (wife, children and parents), hoping to fulfil a long-time dream of meeting the Arch.
He told Weekend Argus: "A lot of people take the word legend or legendary for granted. They say - what you guys do is fabulous and fantastic. What the Archbishop and the Tutu foundation and the Tutu Tygers and everybody at the (Tygerberg) hospital has done for the world, that is a stepping stone for us to build on. They opened up doors for so many, especially black people. And we're just following in their footsteps. Working with the people (associated with the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation) who have the same interest, same vision, same determination to make the world better. So I am very happy and proud that I can be part of this whole thing."
The second actor in our story is Jason Falken, chief executive of Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust. He's been reflecting fondly on the Tutu family's long-time bond with the initiative.
"Desmond Tutu and Ma Leah Tutu have been patrons of our trust since its inception in 2001," said Falken. "And in lieu of their active patronage, we have formed the Tutu Tygers leadership platform, a platform for exceptional young leaders. to carry on the work of their patronage. Tygerberg is the second largest public hospital in the Southern Hemisphere and 60% of the Western Cape's children are supported by the Trust through our work in the hospital."
We saved the best for last. The third cast member in our story hails from Bellville. Tarren Fortuin, now 21, was six-years-old when she first met Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu through the Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust. There is a very famous photo floating about of Fortuin smiling from ear to ear, with her left arm on the shoulder of a laughing Arch.Tutu's love for children is well known. Fortuin was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes at that young age. To this day she is a patient at the hospital, and has recently been made a goodwill ambassador for the Trust.
’’I never see Tygerberg Hospital as a hospital. I see it as my second home," she said. "I don't go out a lot, when I do go out, it is to the hospital."
Fortuin is relishing the opportunity of "being a role model and spokesperson for the kids (at the hospital). And just be there for them and show them that they have support, and someone to speak to that knows what they are going through."
Fortuin admitted she was "super excited" to meet the Arch again today, for the first time in 16 years. "He is such an inspiration and he is a role model to me, to millions of South Africans around the world. And I want to say thank you to him and Miss Leah (Tutu) because they started the Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust and without them there wouldn't be recognition for the Trust and we wouldn't be doing what we are right now."
These are but three people in the world whose lives Tutu has touched.Obviously it is impossible, and probably selfish, to want Tutu and his halo of beautiful light around for another 90 years, at least. Thing is - the Arch has made millions of people from all walks of life, dream of better futures. And it just feels right having him in it, forever.