Atlanta pays tribute to honour the life’s work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Leaders of Atlanta’s political, business, faith, and academic communities came together to honour life and legacy as a world leader in social justice reform and human rights. The Atlanta tribute took place at the Alliance Theatre in Woodruff Arts Centre.

Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s daughter, spoke about Atlanta being her father’s “second home”.

Naomi Tutu said “I give thanks for all the leadership in this community that stood with us and the people of South Africa, the rewards come in hearing the way daddy touched lives.”

Former Coca-Cola Company Chair and CEO also added that “Archbishop Tutu was a leader and patriot of peace without equal”. The Archbishop’s relationship with Atlanta-based Coca-Cola dates back to the mid 1980’s, when during the Apartheid, Tutu had requested and received the disinvestment of the company to South Africa. At the time, South Africa was Coca-Cola’s 10th largest market, so their stance with Tutu on this matter was a big victory in his efforts for social equality. 

Dr. Jan Love, the Mary Lee Hardin Dean at the Candler School of Theology also made remarks about the late Archbishop by stating that he was “an uncompromised advocate for human dignity”. 

The event reflected and illuminated Desmond Tutu’s human rights activism and transformational messages for social justice. It also  featured music performances by Ndlovu Youth Choir of South Africa and a line-up of dynamic speakers, including Ambassador Andrew Young, City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, E. Neville Isdell, and current presidents of Clark Atlanta and Emory universities. 

Bishop Michael Curry concluded with a call-to-action to take a collective pledge to realise Archbishop’s legacy of reconciliation and unity.