October 7

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

There are some names that are so recognizable that only the first or last name has to be said, and everyone knows who you are talking about; so is the name Tutu. Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born on October 7, 1931 in Klerksdorp, Western Transvaal, South Africa.

He was an Anglican Bishop and social rights activists who achieved international recognition for his efforts to fight apartheid and publicize it's cruel dominance in South Africa. Archbishop Tutu received the Nobel Peace prize in 1984 for his fight against apartheid in South Africa.  He was a man of small statue with a massive demeanor that commanded your attention when he expressed his concerns about an issue, whether it was poverty, education or his support for the oppressed.  He was selected as the first Black Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa in 1986. After the successful demise of apartheid in South Africa, he was in charge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  Archbishop Tutu became a global spokesperson for the causes he deemed in need of a voice. Although he is no longer with us, his words are still heard around the world.  He died of cancer on December 26, 2021 in Cape Town at age 90.