Rabble-Rouser for Peace: The Authorized Biography of Desmond Tutu.
By John Allen
This book has been called “the Definitive biography of a truly phenomenal life” by South Africa Times.
Another reviewer (Amazon.com) wrote:
“Desmond Tutu is, was and always will be unique campaigner for the truth. When you look at just what he had to put up with that the likes of the rest of us could not possibly quantify, you may be able to appreciate the true character of a remarkable man. He is never afraid to say what he believes to be necessary, nor afraid to say it to whomever he feels must hear it. Just what South Africa and, indeed; the rest of the world would be like without him cannot be contemplated. For in depth study, or just to satisfy an enquiring mind, this book is essential.”
Desmond Tutu, who died last December 26, is one of the most remarkable personalities of our time. Remembered together with Nelson Mandela as the maker of Modern South Africa, he fought a peaceful battle against the South African apartheid and afterwards became the chief instrument of the healing of the wounded “Rainbow Nation”. The biographer writes from his long and close association with the archbishop, providing an admirable portrait of a man who taught the world what the spiritual and political impact of a Christian leadership can be. Born the son of a teacher in the racially segregated Klerksdorp, Desmond Tutu survived privation and sickness, walking to school barefoot and started as a teacher himself. His father’s favourite saying, “don’t raise your voice, improve your argument” always remained with him. His leadership skills were honed in the seminary. He was gifted with a caring nature, an ebullient personality, dauntless courage, a photographic memory and powerful oratorical skills. He studied theology in London and was created bishop of Lesotho, left this to become the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, a position he held during the troublesome years of the anti -apartheid struggle. The apartheid regime named him South Africa’s “Public Enemy Number One.” His fearless leadership of South African struggle won the admiration of the global community. On several occasions during the freedom struggle, his direct intervention effectively avoided violent clashes and bloodshed and procured pardon for the unjustly condemned. Tutu indeed was a ‘rabble rouser’ but one who always stuck to non-violence even in the face of provocation, threats and state brutality. He roused the conscience of the world against the inhuman racism of the white apartheid regime against the natives. When Nelson Mandela assumed office as the first President of liberated South Africa, Tutu, as Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, undertook the daunting task of ensuring justice and racial reconciliation. Here he showed how the power of Christian faith could heal a whole nation and achieve something that mere politics cannot do. Allen sees this achievement as the single greatest legacy of Tutu. He was convinced that an earnest regard for human rights is true justice and the foundation of peace. When he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the world rejoiced. Allen also provides impressions of Tutu’s personality through the words of illustrious personalities such as Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk, the former President of South Africa, former U. S. Vice-president Al Gore, and rock star Bono of U2.The book also includes the critical views of those who opposed Tutu .Tutu died a happy and fulfilled man, because, as the biographer notes, he “believed the transition to democracy fulfilled his or God’s vision for South Africa.” In this way he was more fortunate than Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, who did not live to see the fruits of their life’s labours.
The archbishop “was a leader with integrity, with an extraordinary ability to bring people together,” said Father Russell Pollitt, director of the Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg. While “we have lots of people in leadership positions, we don’t have many leaders” in South Africa, he said in a Dec. 26 telephone interview. “He was an articulate man with a deep understanding of human beings,” Father Pollitt added, noting that Archbishop Tutu “was a gentle and compassionate man as well as being forceful in social justice issues.”
Prof. Gigy Joseph
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