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Desmond Tutu
Opposing apartheid and chairing South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Nobel Peace Prize · Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Born
- 7 October 1931
- Birthplace
- Klerksdorp, South Africa
- Died
- 26 December 2021
More people
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu was a South African Anglican archbishop and human-rights campaigner. He received the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize.
Early life
Teacher’s family
Grew up under racial segregation and initially trained as a teacher.
Church training
Entered the ministry after leaving teaching in opposition to apartheid education.
Career
- 1960s–1970s
Ministry
Worked in church and educational roles in southern Africa and Britain.
- 1980s
Anti-apartheid leadership
Used his church position to support nonviolent opposition.
- 1986
Archbishop of Cape Town
Became the first Black holder of the office.
- 1995 onward
Truth commission
Chaired hearings into abuses during apartheid.
Campaigns
Nobel Peace Prize
Recognised for opposition to apartheid.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Helped lead a public process of testimony and accountability.
No Future Without Forgiveness
Reflected on reconciliation.
Beyond campaigning
Family
Married Leah Nomalizo Shenxane in 1955.
Later advocacy
Spoke on poverty, international human rights and LGBT equality.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize: award and biography ↗Photo: Benny Gool. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
