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South African Leader, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Celebrates, 80th Birthday (VIDEO)

Desmond Tutu

First Posted: 10/07/11 02:12 PM ET Updated: 12/06/11 05:12 AM ET

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South Africa's "moral conscience," Archbishop Desmond Tutu, celebrated his 80th birthday Friday, BBC reports.

The octogenarian, who helped end the apartheid, danced at the ceremony and was praised by U2 lead singer and philanthropist, Bono.

"At 80 years old," Bono said, "you are more punk rock than anyone I know."

But the happy occasion was clouded with some controversy. Tutu was disappointed when the South African government denied his spiritual friend the Dalai Lama a visa in time to attend the celebration, Associated Press reports.

Nonetheless, Tutu partied with a host of other friends and supporters and will continue the festivities with a Thanksgiving service in Cape Town.

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South Africa's "moral conscience," Archbishop Desmond Tutu, celebrated his 80th birthday Friday, BBC reports. The octogenarian, who helped end the apartheid, danced at the ceremony and was praised...
South Africa's "moral conscience," Archbishop Desmond Tutu, celebrated his 80th birthday Friday, BBC reports. The octogenarian, who helped end the apartheid, danced at the ceremony and was praised...
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maxfax
Taa - dah!
1054 Fans
01:36 PM on 10/09/2011
In honor of his 80th Birthday, if you have never had the pleasure of hearing Miles Davis' ode to the Archbishop, you should take this opportunity to get acquainted. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00tzcnyDL68
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Mother Teresa Ann
Oh relax already.
40 Fans
11:03 AM on 10/09/2011
Desmond Tutu was paid $15,000 to appear in Columbus, Ohio, and speak for 15 minutes .. at a youth advocacy program. The foster children in the program were clustered into several group homes, poor, dirty homes, and scattered into foster homes .. he should have refused that check, and offered it back into the program, to HELP the children who were honoring him. He showed up with his entourage and family, stayed in lavish hotels rooms, even though they weren't spending the night. He was flown in and out for his 15 minute speech. Changed my opinion of him, forever.
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abuja19
197 Fans
10:18 PM on 10/08/2011
Bishop Tutu has done some wonderful things for humanity in the past few decades. Happy 80th birthday, Bishop Tutu!
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HarrietTanner
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12:15 PM on 10/08/2011
GOD BLESS YOU MR. TUTU!
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