Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu, Desmond Tutu's Daughter Marries Lover, Professor Marceline Van Furth in South Holland.

Canon Mpho Tutu and Marceline Furth. Picture Credit: Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s daughter’s gay marriage has sparked a passionate debate on social media. Reverend Mpho Tutu’s marriage to her longtime sweetheart, Professor Marceline van Furth, in South Holland last week led to many criticising the couple, while others rallied in support.

Van Furth now uses a double barrel surname on her Linked In profile: “Tutu-van Furth”. Hendrick Motsoeneng wrote on Facebook: “It explains the reason why Desmond Tutu has been pro-homosexual.”

Kgosi Kgadiete: “No it doesn’t. How can you prove he was opposed to gay marriages before?” Tutu has often stated his support for gay relationships and marriages. One of his celebrated statements are: “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven … I would not worship a God who is homophobic.”

Ziphezinhle Malinga also had an opinion: “And she is a reverend. What message does that sending, not that I am judging her or anything.” Shadi Kiewiet responded by saying: “The message she is sending is that we are all God’s children, regardless of our sexuality.”

“Congratulations to Mpho Tutu and her wife. Most congratulations [sic] to Emeritus Arch Tutu for being tolerant of his lesbian child,” said Thulani Nzima.

Reverend Tutu is the executive director of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. She was previously married and has two children. Tutu-van Furth is a professor in paediatric infectious diseases in the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam and founder of Kids2KidsAfrica.