A timeline of the Arch's life: 1931- 2021

1931

Desmond Mpilo Tutu is born in Klerksdorp on 7 October.

1932

On 27 June, Desmond Tutu is baptized in the Methodist Church, Klerksdorp.

1935

The Tutu family moves from Klerksdorp to Tshing, a location adjoining Ventersdorp.

1941

Tutu’s mother, followed by Tutu and eventually the rest of the family, move to Roodepoort West.

1943

Tutu is confirmed in the Anglican Church on 28 November in St Mary’s Church, Roodepoort.

1945

Tutu begins high school in Roodepoort at Western High (later known as Madibane High).

1946

The Tutu family moves to Munsieville near Krugersdorp. Desmond Tutu lives in a boys’ hostel in Sophiatown, where he meets Father Trevor Huddlestone.

1947

Tutu falls ill with tuberculosis and spends 18 months in Rietfontein sanatorium.

1950

Tutu matriculates from Western High.

1951

Tutu begins to study for a teacher’s diploma at the Bantu Normal College outside Pretoria.
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1953

Tutu graduates with a teaching diploma from Bantu Normal.

1954

Tutu begins work as a teacher at his former high school, Western High.

1955

Tutu obtains a BA from UNISA and transfers to Krugersdorp High School. He marries Nomalizo Leah Shenxane on 2 July in the Church of Mary Queen of Apostles, Munsieville.

1956

Desmond and Leah Tutu’s first child, Trevor Armstrong Tamsanqa, is born.

1957

The Tutus’ second child, Thandeka Theresa Ursula, is born.

1958

Tutu enrols at St Peter’s Theological College in Rosettenville, run by the Fathers of the Community of the Resurrection.

1960

The Tutus’ third child, Nontombi Naomi, is born. Tutu graduates from St Peter’s and is ordained in December at St Mary’s Cathedral, Johannesburg.

1962

Tutu is transferred to St Philip’s Church, Thokoza. The family then moves to London, and Tutu enrols at Kings College.

1963

Tutu’s fourth child, Mpho Andrea, is born.

1966

Tutu graduates from Kings College with a Master’s Degree. He works as an assistant curate in St Mary’s Parish, Bletchingley, Surrey. In December, the Tutus return to South Africa.

1967

Tutu and his family move to Alice, Eastern Cape where Tutu lectures at the Federal Theological Seminary and is Anglican Chaplain at the University of Fort Hare.

1970

Tutu accepts a post as lecturer at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (in Lesotho).

1971

Tutu’s father, Zachariah passes away in his sleep.

1972

The Tutus move back to England. Desmond Tutu takes up a position as Associate Director for Africa of the Theological Education Fund (TEF).

1975

Tutu returns to South Africa as the first black Anglican Dean of Johannesburg, based at St Mary’s Cathedral.

1976

Tutu writes an open letter to Prime Minister John Vorster suggesting reforms. He accepts a position as Bishop of Lesotho in July.

1978

Tutu becomes General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC). He testifies in the ‘Pretoria Twelve Trial’.

1979

Tutu is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Harvard University

1980

Tutu’s passport is confiscated in response to his overt criticism of apartheid.

He is arrested with other clergy marching on John Vorster Square to petition for the release of John Thorne, former president of the SACC.

Tutu and a delegation of church leaders meet with Prime Minister PW Botha and his Cabinet.

Tutu is awarded the Prix D’Athene by the Onassis Foundation, Greece.

1981

Tutu’s passport is returned in January 1981 but later confiscated again. Tutu becomes rector of St Augustine’s Church, Orlando West in Soweto.

1982

Columbia awards Tutu an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Theology. He cannot travel to receive it, but is later given a limited ‘travel document’.

1983

Tutu is elected a patron of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) and helps inaugurate a National Forum.

Tutu’s wife Leah helps found the South African Domestic Workers Association.

1984

Tutu receives the Nobel Peace Prize and is elected as Bishop of Johannesburg. He meets with Ronald Reagan but leaves disillusioned.

Aletta Tutu, Desmond Tutu’s mother, dies.

1985

Tutu is enthroned as Bishop of Johannesburg.

Tutu meets with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in London, but is left frustrated.

1986

Tutu is ordained as Archbishop of Cape Town.

1987

Tutu is elected president of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC).

1988

Tutu is appointed Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.

1989

Police minister Adriaan Vlok meets with church leaders including Tutu and undertakes to review detentions and begin to release political prisoners.

Desmond and Leah Tutu are briefly detained for their participation in the Defiance Campaign.

Tutu, Boesak and Chikane meet with President FW de Klerk, who announces the release of Walter Sisulu and others.
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1995

Tutu is appointed as Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

1996

Tutu retires as Archbishop of Cape Town.

1997

Tutu is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

1998

The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre (DTPC) is co-founded by Desmond and Leah Tutu.

Tutu takes a two-year visiting professorship in the United States.

2000

Tutu returns to South Africa and continues to speak out on moral and political issues.

2003

Tutu works as a scholar in residence at the University of North Florida.

2004

The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation is established. Tutu returns to the UK as a visiting professor at King’s College.

2007

Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu convene The Elders and Tutu is named as Chair.
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2009

Tutu receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the USA’s highest civilian honour.

2010

On his 79th birthday Tutu retires from public engagements.

2011

Tutu condemns the ANC and President Jacob Zuma as the Dalai Lama is refused a visa to South Africa for a second time.
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2012

Tutu is awarded the UNESCO peace prize.

Tutu withdraws as speaker at a leadership summit in protest at sharing a stage with Tony Blair.

2013

Tutu wins the Templeton Prize.

Tutu is hospitalised in April following a persistent infection.

Tutu steps down as Chair of The Elders and becomes an Honorary Elder.

Tutu is awarded Freedom of the City of London.

2014

Tutu says he is happy Mandela is not alive to witness the actions of South Africa’s leadership and lambasts government following a third failure to grant the Dalai Lama a visa.

Tutu cancels his travels for the remainder of the year as he battles cancer.

2015

Desmond and Leah Tutu celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary.

There are reports of Tutu’s deteriorating health.

2016

Desmond Tutu celebrates 40 years of ministry.

Tutu’s health continues to concern his family and the nation.