Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s 90th birthday celebrations on Thursday will be marked with virtual events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the highlights, will be a televised premier of a movie in which he and his long-time friend, spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama feature.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate will spend the big day with close family and friends.
The St George’s Cathedral also confirmed that it would hold a church service in celebration of Tutu’s life.
Anglican archbishop Thabo Makgoba would preside over the service while reverend Allan Boesak, who, together with Tutu and other clerics, led the church’s struggle against apartheid in the 1980s and early 90s, was expected to give a sermon.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, together with the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice and the US-based organisation, Bread for the World, will kick off the celebrations with a virtual book launch on Monday.
The book, “Ecumenical Encounters with Desmond Mpilo: Visions for Justice, Dignity and Peace”, is a collection of contributions honouring Tutu as a political priest whose work has shaped the pursuit for justice, peace and dignity.
The Legacy Foundation said the launch would be followed by a “Courageous Conversation” on the church as a site of struggle.
During the Struggle years, Tutu used his position as a priest to call for a non-violent end to apartheid.
Tutu, recently urged people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 after he and his wife, Leah, received their jabs on the first day of the vaccine roll-out for over-60s.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation said it would also host the annual Peace Lecture on Thursday, titled, Speaking Truth to Power: No Future without Justice.
Speakers expected to participate included humanitarian Graca Machel, former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, former public protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela and the Dalai Lama.
A premiere of the film Mission Joy: Finding Happiness in Troubled Times, was also expected to be the highlight of the event.
The film, which looked at discussions on how to find joy amid personal suffering between Tutu and the Dalai Lama, was created by a team which included four Academy Award winners and has not been shown on the commercial film circuit nor online.
It's currently only available at selected film festivals in North America, according to the Foundation.
The Foundation also extended a special invitation to the public to be part of the celebrations by sending personal birthday greetings.
“Given this is a milestone day, we want to give him (Tutu) at least 90 rich reasons to smile, and everyone who he cares about who may be very far away, a chance to be close in heart and spirit,” said chief executive Piyuchi Kotecha.
The personal birthday message could include a defining or memorable moment together; a humorous encounter or story; and/or personal impact the Arch has had upon you and its significance.
The message should be no longer than 400 words and may include a photo with the Arch.
Submissions can be made to: [email protected].