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President Jacob Zuma wishes to congratulate South Africa’s Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, one of the country’s legendary human rights campaigners, on receiving the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)/Bilbao human rights prize in France last night.

The biennial UNESCO/Bilbao Prize was established in 2008 after an endowment from the city of Bilbao in Spain. Some of the previous recipients include French human rights activist Stéphane Hessel and Pakistani human rights campaigner Asma Jahangir.

“His Grace the Archbishop has been a tireless and visible ambassador of our country all over the world, promoting human rights and justice. Even in his retirement he continues to be a beacon of hope, an elder statesman who is highly regarded by the South African people. He has never veered away from his mission of building a better society. We extend our sincere congratulations on behalf of Government”, said President Zuma.