Tutu trained as a teacher working in South African schools for three years. In 1957 he resigned in protest to the Government's introduction of a second-rate system of "Bantu education" for blacks. He went on to join theological college and took his licentiate in theology in 1960, shortly after the Sharpesville massacre in South Africa. He was ordained Anglican priest in 1961.

Tutu was a curate in South Africa for a year before studying for a BA in divinity and MA in theology at King's College, London. He returned to Africa as a lecturer, then came again to Britain in 1972 as associate director of the Theological Education fund, a position from which he administered the World Council of Churches scholarships.

He returned to South Africa as Dean of Johannesburg in 1975, then in 1976 he was consecrated Bishop of Lesotho. Officially he was now allowed to reside in white areas but, disgusted with the idea, he lived in the black township of Soweto.

In 1978 Tutu became the first black secretary general of the interdenominational South African Council of churches. He began to use this position to highlight the injustices of the South African regime. He called on foreign countries to bring economic sanctions against South Africa in a bid to force the Government to end apartheid. The Government responded in 1979 by confiscating his passport, and Tutu came very close to joining other ANC protesters in gaol.

He continued to press for economic sanctions, and his unswerving dedication to peace meant that he also condemned the violence within the ANC, particularly the practice of "necklacing" - executing a traitor by placing a burning tyre around his neck.

In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel peace prize. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985-86 and later Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986-96. His fight against prejudice also reached within the Church, where he supported the ordination of women. After the instigation of true democracy in South Africa in 1994, Desmond Tutu was put on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.