Archbishop Desmond Tutu
When he was born, Desmond Tutu was given the middle name “Mpilo,” Sotho for “life,” because he was a sickly baby, not expected to survive. “That,” he has said, “was my first commitment to faith.”
His faith in the peaceful destiny of South Africa and his commitment to that destiny earned Archbishop Tutu the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. For years he served as his country’s voice of conscience during its long struggle against apartheid. When that struggle was finally won, he took the first steps, as Chairman of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to minister to the ugly wounds it left behind. On October 29, 1998 the commission submitted its initial report to President Nelson Mandela, marking a significant step in the nation’s healing process, as well as an international reminder of the commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice.
Archbishop Tutu soothed the spirits and rallied the hearts of his people with simple words of passion and dignity. These words also served to invoke the indignity of the world against South Africa’s apartheid regime. The power of his statesmanship has been preserved in three collections of sermons and addresses: Crying in the Wilderness: The Struggle for Justice in South Africa, Hope and Suffering: Sermons and Speeches, The Words of Desmond Tutu, and The Rainbow People of God.
Throughout the long years dedicated to reclaiming the dignity of his people, Archbishop Tutu always saw himself as “a simple pastor, passionately concerned for justice, peace, and reconciliation.” He authored God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time reflecting on his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and pledged himself to continue to speak out, not only in his own country, but throughout the world.
Recently, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian honor—for his significant contributions to the nation and the world.
Speaker Topics
Please call 800.225.4575 or contact us for more information on this speaker's speech topics.
Request More Info
| MY SPEAKER LIST | MAKE A REQUEST |
|
Desmond Tutu
|
|
| Questions about booking? | |
| 617.614.1600 | |
Materials
Related Categories
Related Speakers
Need help finding a speaker?
The Program Consultants at American Program Bureau are Here to Help!
Tell us about your event and we will offer custom speaker recommendations specifically tailored for your event's theme, audience, budget or any other criteria your provide. Whether you are looking for a keynote speaker to set the tone for your entire event, an industry expert for an executive briefing or workshop, a motivational speaker to supercharge a sales force, or a celebrity speaker to kick-off your convention, we can help you find the right speaker for your next event.


President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Paul Rusesabagina
Manning Marable
Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Raj Patel