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03. Desmond Tutu – Teachings in the land of apartheid

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Around 1948, the National Party, led by DF Malan, created a gulf between the country‘s racial groups. The apartheid system was introduced, black people had no voting rights and various apartheid acts, such as the Bantu Education Act (1953), were introduced, further intensifying the apartheid system. The Bantu Education Act created a separate system of inferior education for blacks. The curriculum was downgraded to be different from that in the white schools.
Desmond Tutu enrolled for a teacher’s Diploma at the Bantu Normal College near Pretoria in 1951. He received a teaching diploma in 1953 and in 1954 he earned a BA degree in Teaching from UNISA.
When Tutu started teaching in 1954, the apartheid system has intensified. Tutu began teaching English at Madibane High School in 1954; and in 1955 he was transferred to the Krugersdorp High School, where he taught English and History.
In 1958, Tutu decided to leave teaching rather than teaching for inferiority. Tutu had to find a way to provide for his family and he became a priest.

Read more about the Apartheid System and the Bantu Education Act in the UJ Library

Apartheid Collection UJ Archives and Special collections

The UJ Library catalogue is available on

1. Welsh, D. (2009).The rise and fall of apartheid. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball.
Available: Special Collection-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf for in-library use only.

2. Peffer, J. (2009). Art and end of Apartheid. Minneapolis: ŷ100000 of Minnesota press.
Available: Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf SBV3  for in-library use only.

3. Clarke, B. (2008). Anglicans against apartheid: 1936-1996. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.
Available: Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf SBV3 261.7 CLA for in-library use only.

4. Allen, J. (2005). Apartheid South Africa: An insider’s overview of the origin and effects of separate development. New York: I Universe.
Available: Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf No: for in-library use only.

5. Kenney, H. (1980). Architect of Apartheid: H.F. Verwoerd, an appraisal. Johannesburg: J. Ball.
Available: Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf SBV3
for in-library use only.

Bantu Education Collections UJ Archives and Special Collections

The UJ Library catalogue is available on

1. South African Bureau of Racial Affairs. (1955).Bantu education, oppression or opportunity. Stellenbosch: Sabra.
Available at: Special Collection-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf no for Library use only.

2. Malherbe, E.G. (1925).Education in South Africa: 1652-1922. Cape Town: Juta.
Available:  Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, shelf no for Library use only.Also available online: