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Mpho Tutu mourns the loss of her father, Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Photo: NIC BOTHMA / POOL / EPA
South Africa says goodbye to its folk hero and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu.
The funeral service for the world-famous human rights activist and retired Anglican Archbishop who died almost a week ago began on Saturday morning in St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy and Tutu’s widow Leah will then present South Africa’s six-colored flag.
Desmond Tutu had referred to the flag when he coined the term "rainbow nation", which describes the peaceful coexistence of South Africa's numerous population groups after apartheid.
Tutu's ashes are later buried in a mausoleum inside the cathedral, from whose pulpit Tutu had repeatedly preached against the brutality of the apartheid regime for years.
Famous for its modesty, the tutu was laid out in a simple coffin while the family asked for charitable donations in lieu of flowers.
The mourners of the deliberately simple ceremony were limited to close friends and family, clergy and a few international guests, including King Letsie III.
from neighboring Lesotho.
Numerous South Africans followed the funeral service live on state television.
more on the subject
On the death of Desmond Tutu: Hamba kahle, Arch - Adieu, great old man! From Bartholomäus Grill
On the death of Desmond Tutu: The laughter of the winner by Christoph Titz
The country's most prominent clergyman died last Sunday at the age of 90.
Since then, flags have been waving at half-mast on public buildings;
the church bells in South Africa have been rung daily in Tutu's honor since Sunday.
Together with later President Nelson Mandela, Tutu fought against the racist apartheid system.
In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent work.
After the end of apartheid, Tutu campaigned for the reconciliation of blacks and whites.
him / dpa