Desmond Tutu's Milestones
Birth
Desmond Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa.
Early education
Attended Methodist Primary School and later Johannesburg Bantu High School.
Diagnosed with tuberculosis
Diagnosed with tuberculosis as a teenager, spending months in hospital and inspired by the compassion of his caregivers.
Qualified as teacher
Qualified as a teacher at Pretoria Bantu Normal College and began teaching at Johannesburg Bantu High School.
Marriage to Nomalizo Leah Shenxane
Married Nomalizo Leah Shenxane.
Left teaching to study theology
Left teaching to pursue theological studies at St Peter's Theological College in Johannesburg.
Ordained as priest
Ordained as an Anglican priest.
Theological studies in London
Studied theology at King's College London, earning a Master's degree.
Dean of Johannesburg
Appointed Dean of Johannesburg, the first Black person to hold the position.
Bishop of Lesotho
Became Bishop of Lesotho.
General Secretary of South African Council of Churches
Appointed General Secretary, advocating against apartheid.
International anti-apartheid advocacy
Gained international prominence for outspoken opposition to apartheid, speaking at the United Nations and abroad.
Nobel Peace Prize
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to end apartheid.
Archbishop of Cape Town
Became the first Black Archbishop of Cape Town.
Retirement
Retired from public ministry but continued activism for human rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and LGBTQ equality.
Chair of Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Appointed chair of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, promoting restorative justice.
Death
Desmond Tutu died in Cape Town, remembered as a champion of peace and justice.