Archbishop Desmond Tutu retires

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has officially announced his retirement from public life after many years of political activism and human rights work.

The decision comes as Mr Tutu celebrates his 79th birthday.

Tutu rose to prominence as a fierce anti-apartheid campaigner in the 1980’s, and made history by becoming the first Black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town.

Over the years he received numerous accolades in recognition of his work, including winning the Nobel Peace prize in 1984, and winning the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005.

Mr Tutu has said he needed to take a step back from his work and said he was “slowing down"

"Instead of growing old gracefully with my family, reading and writing and praying and thinking, too much of my time has been spent at airports and in hotels."

Happy birthday Mr Tutu.

By Richard Sudan