"Arch" gave his farewell speech to the shipboard community since he will be leaving the ship for his home in South Africa in two days. At 81, he has been remarkably present and energetic since the day he boarded.
He graciously thanked individuals and groups this evening, taking special time to recognize the young and young-at-heart: the students, the dependent children, and life-long learners.
In his last formal remarks to the shipboard community this voyage, he talked to us about inequalities that existed before 1994 in South Africa, and those that we can expect to see when we arrive later this week. South Africa is a beautiful country with great potential, but its growth is slowed by corruption, croneyism, and continuing economic disparities. Formerly whites-only schools are integrated, but in most of what are still black areas, the schools are ruins lacking sanitation and proper facilities. He described the "burden on our hearts" he and other former leaders feel when they see the state of education and poverty that remains in so much of South Africa, contrasted with the conspicuous affluence we will see in gentrified central Cape Town.
My family has had some very memorable interactions with this charismatic and gentle man. Early in the voyage, he asked me why the You Are Here computer wasn't showing our location. I told him I was waiting for him to fix it for me. A student who has since become quite close to Jr took the photo below of Arch and me in front of the YAH computer. I have spoken to Arch several times on the voyage since then, usually just a joke or two is traded, but it always makes my day.
On Jr's birthday, Arch decided to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. It was the day we had arrived in India, and I mentioned to Arch that it was Jr's 10th birthday when we saw him on the stairs into the lounge where the immigration officials awaited us. Jr said the best part of the song was the trademark "Arch giggle" at the end. You have never heard someone with as infectious a laugh as Archbishop Tutu's.
Grandpa had the opportunity for a few serious questions to Arch during a presentation he made to the life-long learners. You'll have to ask him for Arch's answers to people's questions about poverty, inequality, and forgiveness.
Sr and Jr had the photo below taken on a day Arch had set aside for the shipboard community to have photos taken with him. He did this twice during his voyage, spending hours interacting with students and others who waited patiently for their turn. He has stopped by the dependent children's program more than once, and even sang onstage with them during the Sea Olympics yesterday.
Farewell, Arch, it has been a privilege to share the voyage with you.
What a privilege!!!!
ReplyDelete