Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 90th birthday & 11th Desmond Tutu International Annual Peace Lecture

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 90th birthday - 7th October 2021

This October, Tutu Foundation UK is hugely excited to join our friends around the world to celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 90th birthday! Drinks reception from 5:15pm, please use this RSPV link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ5PY4a5JkrNrvGCiBneP6NoOCPclJCB24rB4WpP4fAyUM6w/viewform

5.00pm: Welcome and drinks reception.

Join us for the drinks reception where we begin the celebration event at South Africa House which will comprise of a live stream from Cape Town along with our very special programme. All guests will be asked to be seated.

5.15pm: Introduction by Clive Conway

Clive Conway will welcome all guests on stage and will begin the evening.

5.20pm: Paul Wilson and Simon Israel's talk about policing

We welcome former metropolitan police superintendent Paul Wilson; a key supporter of civil rights both here and in South Africa who helped establish the UK's first Black Police Association and has campaigned for racial justice throughout his career.  Paul will talk to us about his new book “Rocking the Boat” a memoir that recounts his early years of growing up in Lincolnshire, how and why he joined the metropolitan police force, the prejudice he encountered and following retirement, his time in South Africa. A Vice President of Unilever, Africa, Lethepu Matshaba will introduce Paul and Simon Israel, former senior home affairs correspondent at Channel 4 News, will chair his address.

6.00pm: The 11th Desmond Tutu International Annual Peace Lecture Livestream

The 11th Desmond Tutu International Annual Peace Lecture in Cape Town will be delivered by four inspiring global leaders – the Dalai Lama, Graça Machel;  Mary Robinson; and Thuli Madonsela.

7.15pm: Drinks at South Africa House

With the livestream over, the Tutu Foundation UK and our friends continue celebrations with drinks at South Africa House. Admission free. Just turn up on the day but let us know in advance you are attending.

We would like to thank the publishers of Paul’s book SRL Publishing Ltd for generously providing the wine and Nomatemba Tambo, High Commissioner of South Africa to the United Kingdom for the use of South Africa House.

We will sing happy birthday and a birthday cake will be cut and given to the guests.

Please RSVP here

Please note that there is limited capacity for the Archbishop's 90th birthday.