Proudly South African, humble, open-minded, 79 and always smiling is a description that effortlessly captures this key facilitator of the new South Africa. It has also been said that he coined the term 'The rainbow nation'! Affectionately known as 'The Arch', Desmond Tutu has chosen today, his 79th birthday, to retire from public life.

And what a life of service he has lovingly shared and bestowed upon South Africa and the world. His involvements and achievements are immense and well worth reading at leisure! We capture a few key moments in the Tutu timeline:

1931 - Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born in Klerksdorp

1962-1966 - studied a Masters in Theology at King's College in London

1984  - awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

1986 - became the first black Archbishop of Cape Town

1994 - appointed by Mandela as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

1996 - retired from his post as Archbishop of Cape Town

2005 - received the Ghandi peace prize

2009 - received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

2010 - retired from public life...

"The time has now come to slow down, to sip Rooibos tea with my beloved wife in the afternoons, to watch cricket and to travel to visit my children and grandchildren rather than to conferences and conventions and university campuses," says Tutu.

Happy Birthday to The Arch from all of us at SA PROMO Magazine!

Let us know what you think about The Arch - what was his biggest achievement? What happens now that both Mandela and Tutu, two key new South Africa activists, are no longer active? Email editor@sapromo.com.