The Wilson Center mourns the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, champion of human rights and a symbol for people struggling against oppression. Archbishop Tutu helped lead the fight against apartheid in South Africa and then was a champion for the reconciliation of the population under their new leadership. The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner was known the world over as a righteous and pious man of faith whose speeches brought global attention to the plight of his people.

 

In 2004, the Archbishop’s Daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu spoke at The Wilson Center about the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission which her father was Chairman of. The Government of National Unity established the Commission “to help deal with what happened under apartheid.”

 

Our condolences go out to the Archbishop’s widow Nomalizo Leah Tutu and the rest of his family, friends and colleagues.