What impact did Desmond Tutu have on society?

Answer 1

In 1984 Tutu won the Nobel Prize for Peace, becoming then the second South African to do so. He was honored for his efforts to dismantle the oppressive rule in South Africa.

He made a public statement dedicating his Prize to the “little people” in South Africa and shared his prize money with his family, South African Church Council staff as well as a scholarship fund for South Africans in exile. The South African public had mixed reactions to his receipt of the award, some celebrating while others criticized.

The government itself remained silent about the event. He was later elected Bishop of Johannesburg and resigned as Patron of the United Democratic Front. He continued his work spreading the word of what was happening in South Africa, offering solutions along the way.

In the USA he and Dr. Allan Boesak met with Senator Edward Kennedy, inviting him to visit South Africa and addressed the United Nations Security Council as well as the Congressional Black Caucus, House of Representatives and the Senate. He continued to urge world leaders to pressure the South African government with economic sanctions.