South African Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond has paid tribute to anti-apartheid activist Alex Boraine, who has died aged 87, saying he could not have managed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) without him.

Mr Boraine was one of the architects of the TRC, set up in the 1990s after the end of white-minority rule, and served as its vice-chair under Archbishop Tutu.

It held public hearings across the country and anybody who felt they had been a victim or perpetrator of violence could come forward. The panel would then recommend whether the perpetrators could receive amnesty from prosecution.

The archbishop said he and his wife were sad to bid farewell to a “true gentleman who loved his country, an admired colleague and dear friend”.

As deputy chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Alex was measured, reassuring, organised and efficient.

He made sure things ran in the appropriate order, and on time. He was more than a right-hand man; I could not have managed the commission without him.

We send our deepest condolences to the family as we thank God for Alex, a fellow traveller in the journey for a better South Africa."

The BBC’s Vauldi Carelse in Johannesburg says Mr Boraine committed his life to seeking justice for victims of human rights abuses.

He was the founder of the International Centre for Transitional Justice, which was set up in 2001. It works in more than 40 countries troubled with conflict to seeking redress for victims. He sat on its board of advisers until his death on Wednesday.

During apartheid he served as an MP from 1974 to 1986, representing parties opposed to the racist system. He later went on to work for two non-profit organisations concerned with ending white-minority rule and addressing its legacy.

In 2014, he received the Order of the Baobab – one of South Africa’s highest civilian honours.