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Tutu: The Authorised Portrait by Allister Sparks and Mpho Tutu (Pan Macmillan)
Introduction by his Holiness The Fourteenth Dalai Lama
"I remember first meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu over two decades ago. Since then, the better I have got to know him, the greater has been my respect for him as a sincere spiritual practitioner, one who sets great store by the power of faith. There is a remarkable, frank and mutual respect between us.
I have immense admiration for the great work he and Nelson Mandela accomplished with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The genuine reconciliation they achieved not only allowed South Africa to make a new start less burdened by the past than it might have been, but also served as a tremendous model for other communities emerging from extended periods of conflict.
It was likewise the archbishop’s important suggestion that spiritual leaders should visit places of conflict together to offer good counsel.
As a spiritual leader and a freedom fighter committed to non-violence, his achievements have been wonderful. Archbishop Tutu’s sharp and piercing eyes reflect his realistic assessment and astute judgement whatever the situation, but I’ve also noticed that his nature is gently teasing.
His easy-going joviality brings a pleasant atmosphere to any meeting he attends, no matter how serious the matter under discussion. His commitment to reconciliation, not simply as a spiritual ideal but in actual practice, has been exemplary. I can only hope that, when the time comes, I too can show as much commitment and strength.
When we first met, Archbishop Tutu was not much interested in the cause of Tibet, but he has since become one of our staunch supporters, for which I am grateful.
He is a man of principle who has spoken up on the Tibetan people’s behalf even when it meant criticising his own government.
China often likes to suggest that it is only white Americans and Europeans who criticise it for its conduct in Tibet. I cannot emphasise enough the impact of such criticism when it comes from a distinguished black African of his stature.
In a similar vein, he and Václav Havel recently wrote a ringing defence of the imprisoned Chinese human rights activist and fellow Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo.
It gives me great pleasure to know that Archbishop Tutu’s daughter, the Reverend Mpho A. Tutu, a warm and beautiful person like her father, has compiled this affectionate portrait of him. It is a fitting tribute to a great man.
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet and its former head of state. He has lived in exile in Dharamsala in northern India since 1959 when a potential Tibetan national uprising was crushed by Chinese troops.
He has consistently advocated non-violent policies for the liberation of Tibet, and has been a spokesperson on international conflicts, environmental concerns and human rights issues.
His Holiness has been the recipient of over eighty-four awards, honorary doctorates and prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was awarded in 1989.
This extract has been published with permission from Pan Macmillan South Africa.
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Introduction by his Holiness The Fourteenth Dalai Lama
"I remember first meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu over two decades ago. Since then, the better I have got to know him, the greater has been my respect for him as a sincere spiritual practitioner, one who sets great store by the power of faith. There is a remarkable, frank and mutual respect between us.
I have immense admiration for the great work he and Nelson Mandela accomplished with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The genuine reconciliation they achieved not only allowed South Africa to make a new start less burdened by the past than it might have been, but also served as a tremendous model for other communities emerging from extended periods of conflict.
It was likewise the archbishop’s important suggestion that spiritual leaders should visit places of conflict together to offer good counsel.
As a spiritual leader and a freedom fighter committed to non-violence, his achievements have been wonderful. Archbishop Tutu’s sharp and piercing eyes reflect his realistic assessment and astute judgement whatever the situation, but I’ve also noticed that his nature is gently teasing.
His easy-going joviality brings a pleasant atmosphere to any meeting he attends, no matter how serious the matter under discussion. His commitment to reconciliation, not simply as a spiritual ideal but in actual practice, has been exemplary. I can only hope that, when the time comes, I too can show as much commitment and strength.
When we first met, Archbishop Tutu was not much interested in the cause of Tibet, but he has since become one of our staunch supporters, for which I am grateful.
He is a man of principle who has spoken up on the Tibetan people’s behalf even when it meant criticising his own government.
China often likes to suggest that it is only white Americans and Europeans who criticise it for its conduct in Tibet. I cannot emphasise enough the impact of such criticism when it comes from a distinguished black African of his stature.
In a similar vein, he and Václav Havel recently wrote a ringing defence of the imprisoned Chinese human rights activist and fellow Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo.
It gives me great pleasure to know that Archbishop Tutu’s daughter, the Reverend Mpho A. Tutu, a warm and beautiful person like her father, has compiled this affectionate portrait of him. It is a fitting tribute to a great man.
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet and its former head of state. He has lived in exile in Dharamsala in northern India since 1959 when a potential Tibetan national uprising was crushed by Chinese troops.
He has consistently advocated non-violent policies for the liberation of Tibet, and has been a spokesperson on international conflicts, environmental concerns and human rights issues.
His Holiness has been the recipient of over eighty-four awards, honorary doctorates and prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was awarded in 1989.
This extract has been published with permission from Pan Macmillan South Africa.
Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.
What are your thoughts on the extract above? Are you keen on reading the new book about Desmond Tutu? Share your thoughts below.
Sign up for women24's book club newsletter and stand a chance to win our top ten books from kalahari.com.
