WRAP | 'We remember him with a smile, the type of smile he would've flashed around' - Ramaphosa

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's coffin is leaving the cathedral to be transported to where he will be cremated.

- Marvin Charles

Ramaphosa: "Archbishop Tutu leaves a formidable legacy and we are enormously diminished by his passing."

- Marvin Charles

Ramaphosa: "We have many images of him speaking to crowds. He was a man with the faith as deep as it was abiding. Opposing injustice, standing up for the oppressed and defying unjust laws was Gods work. Destiny had anointed him as a champion of the immortal cause of justice."

- Marvin Charles

Ramaphosa: "Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a crusader for freedom, justice and peace. Climate activists LGBTQIA+ groups have paid homage to the man that has given freedom. A humble and brave human being who spoke for the oppressed downtrodden and suffering of the world."

- Marvin Charles

"Small person of the past becoming great in the unfolding purposes of God," said Nuttall.

- Marvin Charles

Reverend Michael Nuttall is currently doing the sermon.

"Desmond and I became close. He was Archbishop of Cape Town, and I was Dean of Natal. Our partnership struck a chord a dynamic black leader and his deputy we were a foretaste in a divided nation," he said.

- Marvin Charles

Mourners gather at St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town for the official funeral of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

Image: GCIS

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was part of the committee that assisted in planning his funeral. Among his wishes were that the service not be filled with any speeches. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver only the state eulogy.

- Marvin Charles

"The most striking common thing people have said is that when they were in the dark, he brought the light. He was the light of Christ,” Welby said.

- Marvin Charles

"We shared him with the world, and you shared part of the love you had for him with us. We are thankful that all of you have gathered in your many places, in person or via the wonders of technology, to celebrate daddy's life this week.

"We say thank you daddy, for the many ways you showed us love. For the many ways you challenged us, for the many ways you challenged us," said Reverend Naomi Tutu.

Reverend Naomi Tutu, the daughter of the late archbishop, speaks on behalf of the Tutu family.

"I am here to convey our thanks. I want to first apologise as a family we have received many messages and we haven't been able to respond. We have just been overwhelmed," she said.

- Marvin Charles

The choir is being streamed in via video link.  They are singing “Great is thy faithfulness"

- Marvin Charles.

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe is also present at the official funeral of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

- Marvin Charles

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's wife, Mama Leah, is already inside the cathedral.

- Marvin Charles.

The king of Lesotho, His Majesty Letsie III, has arrived at the Cathedral for Tutu's official funeral service.

- Marvin Charles

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at the St. George's Cathedral ahead of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's official funeral this morning.

- Marvin Charles

A large media contingent has gathered outside St George’s Cathedral for the funeral service of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in Cape Town. 

- Marvin Charles

Road closure warnings

The City of Cape Town said motorists have been advised to find alternative routes or avoid the cathedral precinct entirely, if possible. "A number of roads, including Wale and Adderley streets, will be closed on Saturday," it added in a statement.

A viewing space has been made available on the Grand Parade for the funeral service of the late archbishop. Access to this area will be via the entrance to the Grand Parade along Castle Street.

The City said there would be no general public access to the area around the cathedral.

The requiem mass will start at 10:00 at St. George's Cathedral where, for years, Archbishop Desmond Tutu used the pulpit to rail against a brutal white minority regime.

Famous for his modesty, Tutu gave instructions for a simple, no-frills ceremony, with a cheap coffin, donations for charity instead of floral tributes and an eco-friendly cremation.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy and then hand over the national flag Mam Leah Tutu.

Capetonians will brave the rain on Saturday to pay their last respects to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the St George’s Cathedral.  Members of the public were set to view proceedings at the grand parade - but a heavy downpour may hamper this.

- Marvin Charles (Image: Aljoscha Kohlstock)

Mourners say last farewell to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, all systems go for funeral

- The official funeral of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be held at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town on Saturday. 

- Several road closures and strict security measures have been put in place ahead of the funeral. Motorists have been advised to find alternative routes or avoid the cathedral precinct entirely, if possible. The City said there would be no general public access to the area around the cathedral.

- President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy. 

BREAKING:

Tutu family arrives at memorial hall outside St George's Cathedral.

- Marvin Charles

OPINION | Imraan Buccus: Desmond Tutu's life shows that cultured speech is a radical necessity

The death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu has illustrated, again, just how toxic public life has become in South Africa, writes political analyst Imraan Buccus. 

St. George’s Cathedral is a hive of activity. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be laying for the last day in repose. So far, 2000 people have paid their last respects to Tutu.

- Marvin Charles

WATCH | 'Don't forget about Tutu': Dignitaries, celebrities pay tribute to the Arch

Close friends of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu gathered in honour of him at an intimate event. 

Safety measures in place for Archbishop Desmond Tutu's funeral

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the funeral of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu this weekend is "safe and secure".

WATCH | Long queues form outside St George's Cathedral as public gathers to pay tribute to Tutu

Long queues formed outside St George's Cathedral on Thursday as members of the public flocked to pay their last respects to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.