Ordinarily born to the world on the 7th of
October, 1931 in Klerksdorp (located in the North West province of South Africa)
this activist and retired Anglican Priest has shown the world exactly what it
means to use your voice against whatever you are not in support of and use it
as well in favour of what you support.
He is quoted as saying that Good is stronger than evil; love
is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than
death. Victory is ours, through him who loves us. He studied at Pretoria Bantu
Normal College and became a teacher and eventually resigned from
his position because black South Africans had poor educational prospects as a
result of an act that was passed. This resignation propelled studies in
theology and he was eventually ordained as an Anglican priest.
He later travelled to King’s college London where he
obtained his Bachelors and Masters in Theology. After years of working in the
United Kingdom, he returned to South Africa and notably was his letter to the
Prime Minister (B.J. Vorster) where he described the situation in South Africa
as a powder barrel that could explode at any time but this letter was not
replied.
He used his position to speak strongly against apartheid during the protests
by black South Africa in 1976 and this is what he had to say among so many
other things:
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.''
He was briefly jailed and his passport was revoked twice which I choose to call his lot for daring to speak up at times when the circumstances around did not encourage him to speak.
After the fall of apartheid, he headed the truth and reconciliation committee. He is often regarded as South Africa's moral conscience and has been described by former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela as "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour. Desmond Tutu's voice will always be the voice of the voiceless".
Archbishop Desmond Tutu set a worthy example for us all in that you can use your position and voice to bring about a change where you are. He was born ordinary but today we see him as extra ordinary. The extra still being added in the course of his life.
Please do not shy away from using that voice for there is a reason why you are in that position. Whoever you are speaking to may or may not listen but it's important to speak.
Learn to use your voice wisely today
Be Matured!!!
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