Founded in 2013, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation represents one of the
world's most iconic leaders, and his life-long partner.
The Foundation strives to ensure their uncompromised bravery is celebrated,
communicated and curated for posterity.
The core of the Foundation's work is
THE COURAGE TO HEAL
This is supported by three strategic programmes
LATEST NEWS
GENDER-BASE VIOLENCE – DOING THE DIFFICULT WORK
Gender-based violence was at epidemic proportions in South Africa before the Covid19 pandemic. Conversations about this topic are constantly being held by government and other sectors of society and usually peak during the 16 days of Activism against violence against women and children, which takes place in November each year…
A CALL FOR YOUNG VOICES TO RE-IMAGINE TOMORROW
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond and Mrs Leah Tutu’s message to young people across the world is to be diligent about wearing facemasks to help protect their families, friends and neighbours from the coronavirus. “Please all care for each other and wear a mask,” they said, as their Legacy Foundation in Cape…
BULLETIN
The Covid-19 pandemic is a revolutionary event; in future, people will speak of the first global lockdown, and pre-virus and post-virus eras. It is a moment requiring the kind of collective response that many predicted would first be forced on humanity by climate change. Like just about everyone else in the World, the Tutu Legacy Foundation is adapting to our changed realities.
Whereas much of our pre-virus focus involved using our extraordinary physical space, now we realise the fundamental importance of developing parallel digital track…to reach out across lockdowns, social distancing and whatever else tomorrow brings. (Without having budgeted for it, of course.)
As we sharpen our pencils and tweak our plans, to stay ahead of the curve, so to speak, the words of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ring in our ears: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
YESTERDAY
A BASIC INCOME GRANT TO COUNTER DEHUMANISING POVERTY
“At the moment, many, too many, of our people live in gruelling, demeaning, dehumanising poverty. We are sitting on a powder keg… “We should discuss as a nation whether a basic income grant is not really a viable way forward. We should not be browbeaten by pontificating decrees from on high. We cannot, glibly, on full stomachs, speak about handouts to those who often go to bed hungry. It is cynical in the extreme to speak about handouts when people can become very rich at the stroke of a pen.” – Desmond Tutu, November 2004, Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
TODAY
SOUTH AFRICA TO INTRODUCE BASIC INCOME GRANT
“Historic and emergent factors, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic, demand that the BIG (basic income grant) be introduced within our fiscal capabilities. The BIG will simplify coverage and ease of grant administration. Granted that our current social security grants’ system does not permit universal coverage, the current proposal will help realise the government’s broader social security reform environment… “The BIG will be unconditional, individually targeted and at the level that will lift individual South Africans out of poverty. Currently, the most vulnerable groups of our population are the youth between 18 and 24 and the elderly between 50 and 59. Targeting these groups first and then progressively expanding to other age groups may be warranted.” – South African Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu, July 2020, media briefing
TOMORROW
CHANGING WORLD REQUIRES NEW SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICIES
“COVID-19 is a human tragedy. But it has also created a generational opportunity. An opportunity to build back a more equal and sustainable world. The response to the pandemic, and to the widespread discontent that preceded it, must be based on a New Social Contract and a New Global Deal that create equal opportunities for all… “A changing world requires a new generation of social protection policies with new safety nets, including Universal Health Coverage and the possibility of a Universal Basic Income… “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home the tragic disconnect between self-interest and the common interest; and the huge gaps in governance structures and ethical frameworks. To close these gaps, and to make the New Social Contract possible, we need a Global New Deal: a redistribution of power, wealth and opportunities.” – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, July 2020, Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
