KINGS and presidents sang and prayed at a spectacular farewell service for retiring Archbishop Desmond Tutu yesterday at the Cape Town cathedral from which he helped to lead South Africa to democracy.
Archbishop Tutu, the feisty black cleric who kept apartheid in the world spotlight during years of harsh emergency rule, retires as head of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa.
"[I'm] going to miss you. I love you very much," Archbishop Tutu (64), said at the end of a brief message of thanks. He then tearfully hugged his wife, Leah, and laughingly offered his throne to his successor, Bishop Njonkulu
Winston Ndungane.
African song and costume blended with Anglican incense and organ music, reflecting Archbishop Tutu's homeland, which he called during decades of fighting white minority rule "the rainbow nation of God".
Guests in the cathedral of St George included the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, King Letsie of Lesotho, President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, President Ketumile Masire of Botswana and President Nelson Mandela.
Wearing a glittering gold mitre embroidered with a white dove of peace, Archbishop Tutu called the congregation to its feet in a standing ovation for President Mandela and again for Mr F.W. de Klerk, the country's last white president, against whom he led a watershed march nearly seven years ago.
Five months later, then President De Klerk repudiated apartheid and released Mr Mandela from jail to start talks on a transition to democracy.
Asked if he had any regrets, Archbishop Tutu, winner of the 1984 Nobel peace prize and countless awards, including 52 honorary doctorates, said: "The struggle tended to make one abrasive and more than a touch self righteous. I hope that people will forgive me any hurts I may have caused them.
President Mandela praised Archbishop Tutu's courage and morality and named him the first post apartheid recipient of the nation's highest civilian award, the Order of Meritorious Service, Gold Class. President Mandela said Archbishop Tutu would continue to promote reconciliation as head of a commission probing abuses during the apartheid era.