03. Desmond Tutu – Teachings in the land of apartheid
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 http://ujlink.uj.ac.za
1. Welsh, D. (2009).The rise and fall of apartheid. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball.
Available: Special Collection-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf SBV3 305.8 WELS for in-library use only.
2. Peffer, J. (2009). Art and end of Apartheid. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota press.
Available: Special Collections-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf SBV3 709 PEFF 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: SBV3 968 ALLE 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
968.0099 VERW KENN for in-library use only.
Bantu Education Collections UJ Archives and Special Collections
The UJ Library catalogue is available on http://ujlink.uj.ac.za
1. South African Bureau of Racial Affairs. (1955).Bantu education, oppression or opportunity. Stellenbosch: Sabra.
Available at: Special Collection-UJ Archives @ DFC, Shelf no NP 370.968 SABR 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 NP 370. 968 MALH for Library use only.Also available online: https://archive.org/details/educationinsouth00egma/page/n7/mode/2up