Nobel Peace Prize Winners Series
2006 - Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu
The 2006 Protea coin series depicts Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He played a leading role both in the struggle against apartheid and in helping to oversee its demise, as well as in helping his country come to terms with apartheid's bitter legacy. His clear standpoints and his fearless attitude have made his name a unifying symbol for all groups of freedom campaigners in Africa. This charismatic man is a true humanitarian in every respect and he rejoices in the human spirit.
Archbishop Tutu was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, North West Province. His father was a teacher and he himself was educated at the Johannesburg Bantu High School. After leaving school he trained first as a teacher at the Pretoria Bantu Normal College and in 1954 he graduated from the University of South Africa with a BA degree. After three years as a high school teacher he began to study theology, being ordained as a priest in 1960. The years from1962 to 1966 were devoted to further theological study in England leading up to a Master of Theology qualification. From 1967 to 1972 he taught theology in South Africa before returning to England for three years as the assistant director of a theological institute in London. In 1975 he was appointed Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, the first black person to hold that position. From 1976 to 1978 he was Bishop of Lesotho and in 1978 became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches.
On 11 December 1984 Archbishop Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in recognition of his nonviolent campaign to limit international trade and investment activities in South Africa. The Archbishop established the Southern African Refugee Scholarship Fund with his Nobel Peace Prize Fund, enabling disadvantaged students to further their studies.
He became Bishop of Johannesburg in 1985, Archbishop of Cape Town and head of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa in 1986. After retiring as Archbishop in 1996 he became Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and presided over the traumatic revelation of the secrets of apartheid. Archbishop Tutu married Leah Nomalizo in 1955 and they have four children. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on 9 July 2005.
