Desmond Tutu

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Desmond Tutu

How has faith effected how people lead their life? Today we are looking at the life of Desmond Tutu.

"Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning"

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu aimed for “a democratic and just society without racial divisions”, and set forward the following points as minimum demands: 1. equal civil rights for all 2. the abolition of South Africa’s passport laws 3. a common system of education 4. the end of forced deportation from South Africa to the so-called “homelands”

Bishop Desmond was born.

1931 in Kerksdorp, Transvaal

His parents were teachers.

Desmond Tutu graduated

1954 at Pretoria Bantu Normal College

Desmond Tutu graduated in South Africa as a teacher.

Ordained as Preist

1960 South Africa

The years 1962-66 were devoted to further theological study in England leading up to a Master of Theology. From 1967 to 1972 he taught theology in South Africa before returning to England for three years as the assistant director of a theological institute in London.

Appointed Dean

1975 St Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg

He was the first black person to hold this position.

Desmond Tutu was Bishop of Lesotho, and in 1978 became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches.

From 1976 to 1978

Tutu is an honorary doctor of a number of leading universities in the USA, Britain and Germany.

From the 1940s a policy of apartheid helped white people control other races in South Africa. Racial discrimination touched every aspect of life. Here are some examples of what this meant in the 1970s: • 19 million black people and 4.5 million white people lived in the country, but the whites owned 87% of the land. • Some jobs were kept for whites only. On average white people earned 14 times more than black people per year. • Black people had to pay tax on more of their earnings than white people. • Black people were only allowed to live in certain areas. • There was one black doctor for every 44,000 black people and one white doctor for every 400 whites. • There was one teacher for every 60 black children but, in white schools, one teacher for every 22 children.

Apartheid in South Africa

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Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Desmond Tutu is one of South Africa’s most well-known human rights activists, winning the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving and ending apartheid.

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The influence of Father Huddleston

I saw Trevor Huddleston (the former president of the anti-apartheid movement) when I was maybe nine or so. I didn’t know it was Trevor Huddleston, but I saw this tall, white priest in a black cassock raise his hat as a mark of respect to my mother. I didn’t know then that it would affect me so much, but it blew your mind that a white man would raise his hat to a black woman. Much later I realised that this was quite normal for him, as he believed that every person is important and has value because they are created in the image of God. He strongly opposed apartheid and any other form of injustice. I wanted to copy him and do the same. Desmond Tutu

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3:50

Peaceful Protests

Desmond became known to the authorities as a troublemaker, and he knew his life was in danger. On one occasion a large group of black students decided to make a peaceful protest against the apartheid laws. Suddenly armed police surrounded them. The students were very frightened. Someone got a message to Desmond and he ran to the scene, forcing his way in to prevent violence breaking out. He managed to calm the situation and made sure that the students all got home safely.

‘The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind’

‘You should love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’

(Matthew 5:43-48)

(Matthew 22:37)

‘Do for others what you would want them to do for you’

‘The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as you love yourself’

(Luke 6:31)

(Matthew 22:39)

Jesus’ words from the Bible that help guide Christians in how to live their lives. What did Desmond Tutu and/or Trevor Huddleston do in their lives that might show they were putting the piece of guidance into action?