Bishop Desmond Tutu

Bishop Desmond Tutu
Orlando Lujan Martinez
Noble Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu came to Denver in 1984 to speak about the apartheid dictatorship of South Africa and the freedom of the Black South Africans. He was speaking at an auditorium near the Denver Bears baseball field.
I was a supporter and admirer of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela , Bishop Desmond TuTu and the goals of the African National Congress. And Joe Slovo. the white communist, who help to break the back of apathiet and bring freedom to the South African people.
On a warm summer night I drove into the parking lot and went to the stage entrance in back of the auditorium where i used my Montelibre Monthly press card. to gain admission to an area where only the officials, VIPs and other important people were allowed.
I walk to the a wing of the stage and I stood their for a moment looking across the audience, hearing the murmur of their voices, and then turned to look around in back of the stage where i knew Bishop Tutu would be.
I walked into a large room that was softly lit and empty except for the solitary figure of Bishop Tutu in dark violet suit and the white priest collar standing in a pool of soft light that lent the sence an apperance of the opening of a stage play .
Bishop Tutu radiated an aura of holy peacefulness as i walk up and said "How are you Bishop Tutu I am Orlando Martinez and I have admired you and Nelson Mandela valiant struggle for Black African Freedom and I am certain that freedom is near.
And I took his out-stretched hand. it was as soft and light as an angels hand. He smiled and looked at me with gentle eyes and said in a soft voice "Thank you Mr. Martinez."
He had a poise of confidence, a twinkle in his eyes, and a sense of well-being that I have seen in few people.
We talked for a moment in the dim lit corner of the room and i went away feeling that I ad met someone specaiI, a true man of God, and that wonderful had happened to me.
Since then Nelson Mandela was released from the prison Robben Island and became the President of South Africa. Mandela has received more than one hundred awards over four decades, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He is currently a celebrated elder statesman who continues to voice his opinion on topical issues. In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela.
Mandela has frequently credited Mahatma Gandhi for being a major source of inspiration in his life, both for the philosophy of non-violence and for facing adversity with dignity.