Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop

Date: 14 Apr 1986
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The Most Rev. Desmond Mpilo Tutu was elected Bishop of Cape Town, thereby becoming Archbishop of South Africa, heading the Anglican Church of South Africa. He was installed at St Georges Cathedral, Cape Town in September 1986. This charismatic but humble spiritual leader was the first Black person to hold this office. He occupied the position until 1996, when he retired to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Related Links: http://www.tutu.org/ - Go to 'Menu: About Desmond Tutu' for information on his life, his Curriculum Vitae, and other biographical information http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1984/tutu-bio.html - A biography on the Nobel Prize website

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01Gastrow, S. (1990). Who's Who in South African Politics, no 3, Johannesburg: Ravan. Hayes, S. (ed) (2000). Who's Who of Southern Africa 2001..., Graighall: Jonathan Ball. Joyce, P. (1999). A Concise Dictionary of South African Biography, Cape Town: Francolin.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012644

South African History Online (2011) 'Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012644 (Accessed: 23 July 2026).

South African History Online, Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012644, (accessed 23 July 2026).

"Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012644. Accessed 23 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Desmond Tutu is elected Archbishop." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012644.