Early Childhood
Desmond Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa on October 7, 1931. His parents were extremely poor and did not provide sufficient income for him to pursue a career in medicine.
Desmond Tutu with his fellow college students. Courtesy of MSN
Desmond Tutu as a student. Courtesy of MSN
Education and Career
Tutu instead studied education and theology at Pretoria Bantu College. Following the enactment of the Bantu Education Act of 1953, the Bantu Education Department legally and intentionally kept black schools and universities inferior to white schools.
A racially segregated Bantu School. Courtesy of South African Broadcasting Corporation
The University of Pretoria. Courtesy of Kiddle
After graduating from college, Tutu taught for many years until he quit out of protest of the racially divided education system. Tutu then became a priest in 1960; religion would become a driving force for his fight for peace.
