According to the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Trust, the Nobel laureate will also attend a special thanksgiving service at St George's Cathedral.

"Among close family members who have travelled to Cape Town this week, are two of the couple's overseas-based daughters, Naomi and Mpho, and the Archbishop's sister, Mrs Gloria Radebe, from Krugersdorp," the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation said in a statement.  

His birthday will be observed by an online presentation of the 11th annual Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture on Thursday.

"This year's special lecture features four previous speakers, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former Irish president, Mary Robinson, Chairperson of The Elders, Graca Machel, and former South African Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela."

Tutu, who retired from public life in 2010, was born in Klerksdorp in 1931.

After working as a teacher, he studied theology and was ordained as a priest in 1960.

In 1984, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa".

He was the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which investigated apartheid-era crimes.

GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille sent her well wishes for Tutu.

"Happy 90th birthday, our dearest archbishop. We all love you, please keep praying for our country. Enjoy the day with Mama Leah and all the family. And also, happy birthday in advance for Mama Leah on the 14th of October."

In an effort to help increase research into the disease, Tutu has now given his name for the establishment of a Chair in Urology at the University of Cape Town.  

News24