When Richard Hessler and I took over the editorship of the International Journal of Conflict and Reconciliation, we decided that it would be highly relevant to seek the endorsement of Archbishop Desmond Tutu whose letter of acceptance appears on the website. We suggested to John Galliher (1937-2019) Director of Peace Studies at the time, that he approach the Archbishop, a global icon of peace and reconciliation, and invite him to be an honorary member of our International Editorial Advisory Board. We saw it as a bold move and waited for the Archbishop to respond. We were delighted that he agreed with our mission statement and accepted our invitation. We received his letter of acceptance in 2007, and when the journal moved from the print version to an online version, we were delighted to be able to display his letter. We were therefore saddened to hear of his passing on 26th December 2021 at the age of 90 in Cape Town, South Africa. We intend to keep his letter up on our website as a reminder of what the Archbishop stood for and what we strive for. This latest issue of IJC& R is the first the Peace Studies Program has published since the death of Desmond Tutu. We therefore seek to honor the man who worked so tirelessly for peace, yet was not afraid of being criticized in the process.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born on October 7th, 1931 in South Africa. Although he was an Anglican clergy, his thoughts and beliefs were not conscripted by any single religious doctrine as his main focus was fighting for the human rights of all. He therefore worked on many causes including apartheid, racial oppression, gender equality, disability issues, homophobia, and HIV/AIDS. He fought to define us all as human, not just the rich, powerful or racially privileged members of society, and was criticized by even his allies in his peace-making efforts. In 1984, he received the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1986 became the first Black African to lead the Anglican Church in Southern Africa.

Archbishop Tutu was without a doubt the best known member of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a peace making project set up at the end of apartheid to bring the different groups together. The Commission conducted its work between 1996 and 1998 and although it has received much criticism from both the left and the right, it shone a light on the fact that Indigenous cultures around the world have ideas and institutions to offer as foundations or building blocks for the human race to tap into. The Commission sought to bring to the fore the three important aspects of African approaches to reconciliation within communities where harm has been done: confession, forgiveness and restitution. This package of three pre-requisites for peace is common in many African cultures. The idea that recognition of wrongdoing be devoid of restitution is anathema across African cultures, and perhaps also to other Indigenous cultures around the globe. The focus is on restorative justice. This idea is being reformulated around the world to suit specific cultures. Interestingly, the very first online issue of IJC & R that Richard and I edited (2011) were selected papers from a conference at the University of Missouri on Restorative Justice. Remembering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, one of the most memorial shots was the sight of the Archbishop, the fierce fighter, chair of the subcommittee that heard evidence of human rights violations, overcome with emotion as he bowed his head and wept while listening to evidence. These images remain with us.

As a scholar, the Archbishop authored and co-authored over 10 books which people will continue to use. Tutu is also remember for his many quotes, which continue to circulate. These include: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”; “Do your little bit of good where you are” (he noted that so many feel helpless the face of crushing unjust institutions); and “I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master, I want the full menu of rights”.

We mourn him, but also rejoice with his widow, Nomalizo Leah Tutu and four children that this human being was with us for as long as he was.

Tọ́lá Olú Pearce, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita, Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies
Co-Editor: IJC&R