On Saturday, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation hosted its second annual Laughs for the Arch Gala Auction and Dinner, celebrating the life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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Held at the prestigious Cape Town City Hall, the event brought together 160 guests, including ambassadors, business leader and avid supporters of the foundation.
Founded in 2013, the Tutu Foundation is dedicated to preserving and advancing the values cherished by Archbishop Tutu and his wife, Nomalizo Leah Tutu. The Foundation aims to nurture moral leadership through dialogue, debate and various impactful programmes.
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The gala, in particular, paid tribute to the Archbishop’s unique sense of humour and his ability to channel people’s anger and despair towards positive action.
The evening was hosted by the talented Mel Jones, who captivated the crowd with her wit and charm. Renowned comedians Marc Lottering and Nik Rabinowitz had attendees in stitches, embodying the Archbishop’s endearing quality of irrepressible laughter.
A lighthearted moment ensued when a trio arrived late, apologising with, ‘Sorry, we just flew in from Italy,’ to which Jones quipped, ‘Oh, you flew in from Italy? I drove in from Mitchells Plain.’
A highlight of the night was the live auction, led by esteemed auctioneer Philip Powell.
Guests had the opportunity to bid on an array of exclusive items, including stays at luxurious hotels like Belmond’s Mount Nelson Hotel and Cape Grace Hotel, wine tasting experiences from Vilafonté and Mullineux Wines, and a notable collection of artwork by Chaz Williams and Brian Rolfe.
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Memorabilia from international icons such as Peter Gabriel, Bono, Roger Federer, and Annie Lennox also featured prominently.
One of the most significant moments of the evening was the launch of the Tutu bracelet – a beaded Ubuntu bracelet worn by the Archbishop as a daily reminder to do good.
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These bracelets are crafted by seniors in the Ikamva township, and are intended to serve as not only as a source of income but also as a symbol of unity and support for the foundation’s initiatives.
CEO Janet Jobson emphasised the importance of these bracelets, stating, ‘Now is the time for us to mobilize these million ripples to secure his legacy of hope, of justice, of peace, and of healing.’
The gala was more than just a fundraiser; it was a beautiful reminder of the Archbishop’s enduring legacy and the good that continues to thrive through the Foundation’s efforts.
With tickets priced at R1 000 and tables of ten available for R10 000, the event raised substantial funds to support the foundation’s ongoing projects dedicated to fostering justice and peace worldwide.
As the night drew to a close, guests left with hearts full of laughter and a renewed commitment to the Archbishop’s vision, embodying his spirit of ubuntu – ‘I am because we are.’
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Picture: Misha Jordaan / Gallo Images