The African National Congress on Thursday thanked human rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu for the vital role he played in the liberation of South Africa.

In a statement released by the ANC, Jackson Mthembu, the party’s national spokesperson said that the Archbishop had stood up to apartheid when very few religious leaders had wanted to associate themselves with the liberation struggle.

Born in October of 1931, the cleric and activist rose to prominence and worldwide acclaim during the 1980s as an opponent of the racist system. In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town.

He later received the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

At all times, and with disregard for his own safety, Tutu campaigned for human rights and the oppressed.

He also fought an ongoing battle against AIDS, tuberculosis, homophobia, poverty and racism.

Mthembu continues by stating that Archbishop Tutu “has been in the forefront and on the coal face of mass struggles waged by our people who faced the apartheid onslaught propped up by armed security forces, security police and blacks who collaborated with the system at the time. True to his character he never minced his words in supporting campaigns to end decades of apartheid rule.”

The ANC then wished him well and all the best as he prepares for retirement from public life.

Mthembu noted that they would miss his sense of humour even when dealing with serious political issues.

We at NewsTime would also like to thank the Archbishop for all his efforts both here and abroad and trust that while he is in retirement he will still let us know his thoughts on all events sporting and cricket in particular.

Like Nelson Mandela the “Arch”, as he is affectionately known, is a national treasure.

NewsTime Tip : Don’t visit Madiba we are almost 100% sure that the family locks up even the ceremonial wine.