Desmond Tutu

“Despite all of the ghastliness in the world, human beings are made for goodness. The ones that are held in high regard are not militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They have a commitment to try and make the world a better place.”Read more

Biography

Anglican priest Desmond Mpilo Tutu is chairman of The Elders. He was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal in South Africa and trained as a teacher before studying theology and being ordained as a priest in 1960. Tutu became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches in 1979 and was soon well-known internationally for his commitment to non-violence and for his support for economic sanctions against apartheid South Africa.

In 1984, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in the struggle against apartheid. In 1986 he was elected Archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in South Africa. Widely regarded as 'South Africa's moral conscience', he continued to speak out against the apartheid regime and organised many peaceful demonstrations with thousands marching beside him.

In 1994, after the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa, Tutu was appointed Chairman of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate apartheid-era crimes. The model he established, based on truth as a foundation for forgiveness and reconciliation, was central to healing South Africa's divided society. Tutu retired as Chair of the Commission in 1998 and has since shared his experience and advice with those undertaking their own truth and reconciliation processes in post-conflict societies.

Tutu is an active international advocate for peace, justice and reconciliation. A tireless campaigner, he continues to speak out for the world's poor, to raise awareness of global crises such as the AIDS pandemic and climate change, and to stand up for human rights. A beacon of hope for many throughout the world, Tutu's faith in human goodness is an inspiration to us all.

Archbishop Tutu's ability to convey difficult messages with clarity, compassion and conviviality make him one of the most loved and respected activists of our time. As his great friend Nelson Mandela said of Tutu, he is "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour".