photo source: The Financial Times

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) joins the world in mourning and
paying tribute to a prolific religious leader and human rights icon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
We offer our condolences to the Tutu family and to the entire South African nation.
In the year 1986 Archbishop Desmond Tutu became the first black Archbishop of Cape Town
and later, after 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela spent his first night of freedom in his
residence that showed the important position he held and the type of person he was.
Archbishop Tutu was always kind to invite the ISKCON community in Cape Town whenever there
were events concerning the interfaith organisations coming together to stand up for defending
human rights amidst times of xenophobic attacks or increased gender-based violence. We
always supported his calls to different events.

The Arch, as he was affectionately known by many, believed in the spirit of ubuntu. He strongly
believed that a person is a person through other people and he himself demonstrated this in
the way that he lived and his dedication to humanity at large. He believed that God saw every
soul equally and that that we are all made in His image.

His notable contributions to South Africa’s anti-apartheid history was noticed by the world
when he received the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. He used this opportunity to further his cause for
a non-racial society. His contribution to his nation’s post-apartheid transition is one of the many
contributions he will also be remembered for. He took on his role as the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission chairperson as a further demonstration of his values and
commitment to love and forgiveness.

May the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna bless this great soul.