He passed away aged 90.
This was made known by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He described Desmond Tutu as the country's moral compass.
In a statement, he said: "The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation's farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa."
Desmond Tutu is known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist and was awarded the Nobel prize in 1984 for his role in the struggle to abolish the apartheid system.