Archbishop Desmond Tutu: longing for the rainbow nation

Abstract

Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa, Desmond Mpilo Tutu, former Archbishop of Cape Town, was a candid critic of the apartheid regime throughout his adult life. An author, teacher and Nobel Prize winner, Tutu was born on 7 October 1931 in Klerksdorp, North West Province (formerly Transvaal) to Zachariah Tutu, the headmaster of Klerksdorp High School, and Aletha Matlhare, a domestic worker. In the years 1950 to 1954, Tutu passed the Joint Matriculation Board examination, and was accepted at the Medical School of the University of the Witwatersrand, but was unable to attend due to financial constraints. He managed to graduate with a diploma from the Bantu Normal College, which enabled him to teach in the school from which he matriculated in Krugersdorp. In 1955, he obtained a BA degree from Unisa. On 2 July 1955, in the year of his graduation, Tutu married Nomalizo Leah Shenxane, who remained his partner for the rest of his life.1956 saw a change of careers for Tutu. He took the first step towards joining the clergy by enrolling at St Peter's Theological College, Rosettenville. In December 1960, he became an ordained deacon at St Mary's Cathedral, Johannesburg. Two years later, Tutu chose to further his studies in theology in London and graduated at King's College, University of London.