Tutu house gets plaque

Archbishop Tutu unveiled a blue heritage plaque at his house on Vilakazi Street, in Soweto, in front of a large crowd of well-wishers.
THE home of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, so rich in the history of the liberation struggle, is one of the recent historic landmarks in Soweto to get a blue heritage plaque.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu unveils a heritage plaque at his homeArchbishop Tutu unveils a blue heritage plaque at his homeTutu, known as a man of peace and compassion, joyfully unveiled the plaque on Saturday, 15 October in the company of more than 200 delegates affiliated to various heritage organisations.

Blue heritage plaques are the initiative of the former Simon van der Stel Foundation, now called Heritage SA, and the former Witwatersrand branch, now called the Egoli Heritage Foundation. There are blue plaques dotted around the city; they are circular and can be found on historical buildings and monuments. They mark heritage sites and document the complex history of Johannesburg.

They were first installed in 1986, in Joburg’s centenary year; since then, more than 150 plaques have been installed in places of historical significance across the city.

Heritage organisations involved in putting them up are the City’s department of arts and culture, the Egoli Heritage Foundation, and the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust. Most recently 16 of these plaques were erected in Alexandra.

On the day, Tutu, in spite of just arriving from a long trip from Nairobi, in Kenya, was all smiles when he came out to greet the people who had come to witness the historic moment. Delegates of Heritage SA came from various provinces, including Western Cape, Eastern Cape and North West, who were on a tour of places of historical significance in the city.

Vilakazi Street, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu's home is locatedVilakazi Street, where Archbishop Tutu's home is locatedLocated on the famous Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, the Tutu house has been the family’s Johannesburg home since 1975, and they still live there when in Joburg. The street – the only one in the world to have two Nobel Peace prize winners as residents, Tutu and Nelson Mandela – has become a booming tourist hub.

A variety of items including traditional clothes, food and artworks are sold along its pavements, and there are also several restaurants to stop for a while for refreshments.

Anglican church
Tutu’s original house was extended in 1990 by the architect Jo Noero, the same man who was appointed by Tutu for the architectural work at the Anglican Church in the Transvaal. The Arch, as the former archbishop of South Africa is fondly known, was an anti- apartheid activist and a fervent champion of human rights.

He still loves the community of Soweto after all these years. “I really feel honoured today that my contribution to building this country is being recognised. This community of Soweto made me who am and I am very grateful to everyone who came out here,” he said.

A man of many accolades is Tutu – the most famous being the Nobel – yet he is so humble that he might be mistaken for an ordinary old man next door. Speaking to assorted media outside his home, he constantly stopped to greet locals and neighbours.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrates his birthday at Nambitha'sArchbishop Tutu celebrates his birthday at Nambitha'sHe said it was important to preserve the history and heritage of Soweto as it had played a critical role in the liberation struggle of South Africa.

“Our children should be taught about the history of the marvellous township and how it contributed to the freedom we are enjoying today. It is in this township were people were gunned down, detained and incarcerated. Freedom came at a price; this is what we need to tell our children so they [are] able to treasure it,” Tutu explained.

Asked about his fondest memories of living in Soweto, he paused for a moment, giggled a little and all he could say was: “belonging to a community. I remember back in the day in Sophiatown, we used to live together with the Chinese, Indians and coloureds; and that diversity represented a true rainbow nation, I would love South Africa to go back there.”

The deputy director of immovable heritage in the City, Eric Itzkin, said the Tutu house was remarkable and rich in the history of the liberation struggle, yet it still remained unknown to a lot of people. “It will now get the recognition it deserves.”

After a long chat to the media Tutu, accompanied by two granddaughters, went to Nambitha Restaurant, a stone’s throw from his home; to celebrate his 80th birthday. Delegates of Heritage SA joined the luncheon party.

On their arrival, the whole restaurant stood up and loudly sang happy birthday to Tutu, who laughed delightedly throughout.