The 84-year old Nobel-winning personality was an outspoken opponent of apartheid,the system of minority rule regarding white people in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1984.
Just a few days after he left a hospital in South Africa following three weeks of intense treatment, Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu was readmitted to a hospital on Saturday.
The 84-year old Nobel-winning personality was an outspoken opponent of apartheid, South Africa’s system of minority rule regarding white people. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1984.
Tutu is regarded as ‘South Africa’s moral conscience’ and was described by former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela as a fearless, yet tender individual.
Since his retirement, Tutu has worked to critique the new South African government. Tutu has been vocal in the ineffectiveness of the ANC-led government to deal with poverty, the recent outbreaks of xenophobic violence in some townships in South Africa and condemnation of corruption.
In 1997, Tutu was diagnosed with prostate cancer and followed a successful treatment in the US. He became patron of the South African Prostate Cancer Foundation, which was founded in 2007
Tutu, who has been following a treatment for prostate cancer for a long time was hospitalized several times during 2015. His family has previously declared that the cancer is under control now, and Tutu can normally live again.
Tutu’s admirers see him as a great personality who, since the demise of apartheid, has been involved in defense of human rights and uses his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. He has campaigned to fight poverty, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, homophobia, racism and transphobia. Apart from receiving the Nobel Prize back in 1984, he also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), the Sydney Peace Prize (1999), the Gandhi Peace Prize (2007) and the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism (1986). He has also written several books, containing his speeches and sayings.
Following his 79th birthday, Tutu entered a phased resignation from public life, starting with only one day a week in his office through. On 23 May 2011, Tutu gave his last major public speech outside of South Africa. Tutu honored his commitments through and added no more commitments.
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