To the community of Munsieville where he grew up, the Arch was known as 'Ntate Tutu' and 'Boy'

To many youngsters in the township of Munsieville in Krugersdorp, on the West Rand, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was known as “Ntate (father)” Tutu.

To elders in the community he was affectionately known as “Boy”. 

Tutu, who died in Cape Town in the Western Cape on Sunday, is not only famous for his contribution to the struggle against apartheid but for his love of the scripture and contribution in the local Anglican church.

A Munsieville resident, Christian Luthayi, recalled meeting “Bra Boy”,  as he referred to Tutu, when the Luthayis arrived at Munsieville when he was a teenager.

“I have known Bra Boy for a long time. My home is not far from his parental home. When I met him, I was young and he was already popular in this township. He is a good man who loved to spend time at his home reading the Bible.

“His wife,  Mme Leah, was a domestic worker when I first met her. They got married and ever since, they have been together. I have lots of good memories  whenever I think of him.

“He was an athlete who jogged in our streets almost daily, he was a jolly, kind and loving man who helped people no matter who they were. Bra Boy has taught many of us, especially those born after him, to love our wives and children and he is proof of that,” he said.

Luthayi said whenever Tutu visited the area, he would meet and greet all those he knew and even those he did not know.

Luthayi was interviewed in September 2016 when Tutu was hospitalised for a few days.

A congregant who attended the same church with Tutu, Nancy Monkge, 87, described him as a man who feared the Lord and loved church.

She met Tutu at church and said the man had always been loyal to church, climbing the leadership role.

“He is a man among people. He was looking after us in the township and in church during the hard times against apartheid. He often preached about the dangers of the apartheid system and promised that one day we will be free. And it happened.

“His humanity was very special and he held events for us at church to unite us further. When he was healthy he would visit our church when visiting his sister.” 

Tutu's neighbour, Itumeleng Kgethe, 42, said he knew the archbishop when he was a boy.

“I knew Ntate Tutu as my neighbour. He would sit next to his shack and read the Bible daily. I would play near him and he would often greet me. I only became aware of who he was when I was a teenager.

“He was an energetic man, who loved to exercise, reading the Bible, attending church regularly and teaching people about liberation. He was a good man. He was very popular around and stood for his philosophy.

“I am proud to say he fought for the ANC to be where it is and was always on the ground doing the organisation’s work. He played a huge role in the struggle and his legacy will continue,” he said.