Tutu, David Beckham meet for first time and discuss the power of sport – 17 June 2010
The Nobel Peace Laureate and global icon warmly welcomed Beckham – who is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador – to his offices in Milnerton, Cape Town.
“As a father with three sons, I appreciate the work that will be done at the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre. I’ve been lucky to achieve what I have and giving back is important to me. I have children who are my life so if I can help, I would love too,” Beckham told Tutu.
Tutu responded: “I would like your sons to come and visit the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre one day and say, hey, my father endorsed this place, is part of this legacy.” He signed three ‘Tutu-4-1’ purple rucksacks for Beckham’s children.
Tutu then marched Beckham over to the offices next door where women working in a call centre mobbed the football star. “I could hug you for doing that,” Tutu told Beckham afterwards. “You can’t put a monetary value on the goodwill you’ve shown here today. The world is a better place for people like you.”
Beckham, who appeared blown away by his meeting with the Archbishop, thanked him, and said he was “proud to be here”.
With the World Cup generating excitement in South Africa and across the globe, both were keen to meet to discuss the tournament in South Africa and their shared belief in how sport can act as a positive influence in improving the lives of people and more importantly children around the world.
“I have been fortunate to meet Nelson Mandela and I’m honoured today to meet the Archbishop, a person who I admire for what he has achieved for South Africa,” said Beckham. “We both share a common love for football and we believe that sport can have a strong and lasting impact on communities and children’s lives across the world.”
CEO of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, Nomfundo Walaza, explained the concept of the Peace Centre to Beckham, who said he would be happy to endorse the project.
Chatting over a cup of tea – with Tutu drinking his preferred rooibos – Beckham told the Archbishop that he was disappointed not to be playing in this year’s World Cup. “These things happen in life,” he said philosophically. “Although I would have loved to have played, I’m here to support my team and South Africa’s World Cup.
Posted in - Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 2010 FIFA World Cup, Events, People
