We at The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture (The Trauma Centre) would like to convey our sincerest condolences to Ma Nomalisa Leah Tutu, Trevor Thamsanqa Tutu, Naomi Nontombi Tutu, Theresa Thandeka Tutu and Mpho Tutu van Furth, and their families, for the loss of their beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu.
The Trauma Centre was always proud to have Archbishop Tutu as one of our patrons, as he was instrumental in the organisation’s founding. We are eternally grateful for the role he played in availing the historical Cowley House in Woodstock to our organisation. Prior to becoming a place of refuge, Cowley House was at one time an Anglican monastery. It became a half-way house for families from all over Southern Africa to visit their relatives imprisoned on Robben Island, and then as a half-way house for released prisoner. Over the past almost three decades of the existence of The Trauma Centre, thousands of people who were tortured and experienced trauma at the hands of the apartheid regime, found relief and healing at the Trauma Centre by attending programmes and counselling offered at these premises. The good work done at The Trauma Centre is part of Archbishop Tutu’s abiding legacy.
Father Michael Lapsley, one of the earliest employees of The Trauma Centre said: “Archbishop Desmond has championed the rights of all oppressed people regardless of whether it is a popular or unpopular struggle. For that he has my deepest admiration.” The Archbishop lived out his own quote: ’If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor’”.
We at The Trauma Centre will continue to be inspired by his fearless voice against injustice and human rights violations, including being part of the South African Coalition for Transitional Justice’s work following on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We continue to advocate systemic injustices, against Gender Based Violence, xenophobia and campaigning for LGBTQI+ rights.
The world lost a leader with integrity, a voice of truth and a beacon of hope, but we at The Trauma Centre, alongside many people all over the world, will celebrate this life by continuing our work to serve our communities.
