The eighth annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture took place at the Artscape Theatre on Monday night, a day after the archbishop celebrated his 87th birthday.
The Arch wasn’t present because he was in hospital, where according to his family, he is recovering and doing well.
What made me realise just how important Tutu is to our nation, was the fact that in his absence, the person who stood in for him was none other than President Cyril Ramaphosa.
It was a splendid night, and when the president stepped up to the podium, we all rose to our feet to applaud him, and for the first time in many years I got to experience a president being well received by the public.
It was also once again inspiring to see the Chief Executive Officer of the Artscape Theatre, Marlene le Roux, in her element, reminding us all why she is one of the most inspiring and successful women in this country.
With so many dignitaries present - from the Western Cape Premier to the Cape Town mayor - it was Le Roux who was chosen to introduce the president on the evening and what a stunning job she did.
She had us singing to a Hugh Masekela hit when she stepped onto the podium.
The president started his speech by quipping: “Marlene, if I knew you sing so well then I would have asked you to come sing this song when I quoted it at the State of the Nation Address, because as I quoted it Julius Malema shouted “sing it” and I thought it best I don’t. But if you were there and I knew you could sing so well, then I would have asked you to sing it to him.”
Before delivering his speech and while he was sitting on stage, the president spent lots of time fiddling on his tablet.
This seemed quite strange, and even disrespectful from the audience’s point of view.
But then I realised the strangeness I was feeling was actually the novelty of seeing a president using technology to go over his speech.
HONOUR: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Photo: AYANDA NDAMANE .AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA
Ramaphosa delivered a brilliant speech, speaking about race and gender equality, and land reform and he even took the time to pay respect and tribute to the people who are taking a stance in the form of protests against gangsterism and violence.
He singled out Bonteheuwel and Kensington, where the protests started.
This was refreshing coming from the country’s No.1 citizen, because it showed me he was taking note of people’s efforts to establish peace and prosperity, and encouraging mense to take their future into their own hands.
Peace was a major component of his speech and the president ended off by saying we must create our own idea of what peace represents, and then he spoke about what it means to him.
As I sat in the Artscape listening to our president, sitting next to my wife and some of my peers, I could not help but think, where was this man over the past eight years when our country needed him?
But then I felt a sense of hope that perhaps he is now the key to a better South Africa for all.
As the president exited, the acting CEO of the Desmond and Leah Legacy Foundation thanked him for agreeing to make the speech at such short notice, to which Ramaphosa replied: “I really had no choice but to accept, because when the Arch called me and asked me to do the speech he said if I say no he won’t pray for me. And upon this I could not refuse. I need his prayers every day.”
The event was concluded on a high note when the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra performed an original piece specifically written for the event.
The audience was wowed and gave them a standing ovation.
As we left, I felt a sense of pride in our country.
It is always wonderful to see our elders and icons being celebrated because, were it not for them to pave the way during apartheid, we would certainly not be living in a democratic and free South Africa.
With that said it is important that our politicians follow through on their promises, that they connect with the people and show interest in what we require.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of the biggest ambassadors of peace in the world and his legacy requires all of us to uphold it.
So let us continue to strive toward peace ... in Bonteheuwel, Kensington, Mitchells Plain and all of the Cape Flats communities.