Desmond Tutu

ChurchofChristtheKing

St Albans, Golders Green-2

Bletchingley Church in September 2010

Lesotho mountain village (5285775857)

Reagan with Desmond TutuC26199-10

Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 1931 – 26 December 2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was the Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then the Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position. Theologically, he sought to fuse the liberation theology that had emerged in South America with the Anglican tradition in South Africa. Tutu's efforts in the anti-apartheid movement gained him international acclaim, including the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Desmond Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, in the South African state of Transvaal. His father was a teacher, and his mother worked as a cleaner and cook at a school for the blind. Tutu aspired to become a physician but was unable to afford the tuition for medical school. Instead, he followed in his father's footsteps and became a teacher. However, disillusioned by the Bantu Education Act, which enforced racial segregation in education, he left teaching and turned to theology, being ordained as an Anglican priest in 1960.

Anti-apartheid Activism[edit | edit source]

Tutu rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as a vocal critic of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. He advocated for non-violent protest and international pressure to bring about change. In 1978, Tutu became the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and used this platform to advocate for the end of apartheid and to support the economic boycott of South Africa.

Nobel Peace Prize[edit | edit source]

In 1984, Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving and ending apartheid peacefully. The Nobel Committee recognized his role as a unifying leader figure in the campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa.

Archbishop of Cape Town[edit | edit source]

In 1986, Tutu was elected Archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. He used his position to continue his advocacy for the end of apartheid and for reconciliation and peace in post-apartheid South Africa. Tutu was known for his message of forgiveness and reconciliation, famously chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) after the end of apartheid, which investigated human rights abuses and sought to heal the country.

Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]

After retiring from his position as Archbishop in 1996, Tutu continued to work as a global activist, focusing on issues such as HIV/AIDS, climate change, and LGBTQ rights. He remained a beloved figure for his contributions to peace and human rights, not only in South Africa but around the world.

Desmond Tutu passed away on 26 December 2021, leaving behind a legacy of peace, reconciliation, and justice. His work and teachings continue to inspire movements for justice and equality across the globe.

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