ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu broke down and cried yesterday after Peter Gabriel delivered a moving rendition of his song Biko at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg yesterday. Virgin boss Richard Branson had asked Gabriel to sing the song at the launch of The Elders, a group of 10 influential people, including former president Nelson Mandela, whose mandate is to use their powers to help end wars, poverty, global warming and other social ills.
Yesterday’s launch coincided with Madiba’s 89th birthday and his ninth wedding anniversary with former Mozambican first lady Graca Machel.
Tutu, the Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, who is also the chairman of The Elders, said: “This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken.”
The event attracted big names and personalities, including Virgin boss Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel, who is the brains behind the group.
Speaking in front of more than 200 guests and scores of journalists, Mandela said: “I know The Elders will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair.”
Other members of the group — which has a combined age of over 500 — include former US President Jimmy Carter, former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, former Irish president Mary Robinson, and Mohammed Yunus, Nobel laureate and founder of the Green Bank in Bangladesh.
Carter said the group would not be a toothless body but would make a difference in people’s lives.
Carter said: “I see The Elders as a small but independent group that may fill an existing void in the world community.
“Almost impervious to the consequences of outside criticism, there will be opportunities for unrestrained analysis of important and complex issues, the evolution of suggestions, and for sharing our ideas with the general public and with others who might take action to resolve problems.”
Machel sat beside Madiba and joined guests and journalists in singing Happy Birthday to the former president.
Robinson said: “ I was excited at the possibility and the timing for this group of elders ... to remind the world that we actually have universal values that are accepted by every government and yet they are not being implemented.”
The group already has $18-million (R125-million) in seed money.
http://www.thetimes.co.za/article.aspx?id=519197
