Albert Lutuli

South African politician (1898-1967) · South Africa · Politicians · Died at 69

Albert Lutuli is read about 120 times a day, in 60 languages.

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The first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize stood firm on nonviolence even as the movement he led turned to armed struggle. Albert Luthuli held that line through banning orders, the Sharpeville massacre, and the slow erosion of his own authority within the ANC.

Politicians Politician Politics Stand Up South Africa Africa 20th Century

A life in dates

1968United Nations Prize in the Field of Human RightsAward1967Died21 July 19671961“The mitigating feature in the gloom of those far-off days was the shaft of light sunk by Christian missions, a shaft of light to which we owe our initial enlightenment.”In their words11 December 1961Lecture delivered on December 11, 1961. Available at NobelPrize.org.Read the whole statement

“It is fair to say that even in present-day conditions, Christian missions have been in the vanguard of initiating social services provided for us.”In their words11 December 1961In allusion to the words of Jesus Christ (John 10:10).Read the whole statement

“Scientific inventions, at all conceivable levels should enrich human life, not threaten existence. Science should be the greatest ally, not the worst enemy of mankind.”In their words10 December 1961Lutuli's Acceptance Speech of the Nobel Peace Prize (December 10, 1961).Read the whole statement

“May the day come soon, when the people of the world will rouse themselves, and together effectively stamp out any threat to peace in whatever quarter of the world it may be found.”In their wordsNobel Prize acceptance speech (1961)Read the whole statement

1960Nobel Peace PrizeAward1954“The fate of Africans in the cities of the nation rests on the stand we take against this tyrannical action of the government.”In their wordsResist apartheid! (1954)Read the whole statement

1898Born

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Albert Lutuli nobel

55075 Albert Lutuli (cropped)

55075 Albert Lutuli

Albert Loethoeli , leider Zoeloes in Zuid-Afrika, Bestanddeelnr 920-5251

Albert Luthuli

Albert Lutuli (458603639)

Albert Lutuli Anefo

Albert Lutuli close-up (cropped)

In their own words 7

Albert Lutuli

7 statements, newest first

The mitigating feature in the gloom of those far-off days was the shaft of light sunk by Christian missions, a shaft of light to which we owe our initial enlightenment.
Dec 11, 1961, Lecture delivered on December 11, 1961. Available at NobelPrize.org., Own words
It is fair to say that even in present-day conditions, Christian missions have been in the vanguard of initiating social services provided for us.
Dec 11, 1961, In allusion to the words of Jesus Christ (John 10:10)., Own words
Scientific inventions, at all conceivable levels should enrich human life, not threaten existence. Science should be the greatest ally, not the worst enemy of mankind.
Dec 10, 1961, Lutuli's Acceptance Speech of the Nobel Peace Prize (December 10, 1961)., Own words

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Awards

United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights1968

Nobel Peace Prize1960

In their orbit

Spouse: Nokukhanya Bhengu

About this person

Born around 1898 at a mission in Bulawayo, Luthuli moved to Groutville in 1908 and became a teacher, eventually joining Adams College as one of its first African instructors. Elected chief of the Umvoti River Reserve in 1935, he witnessed the grinding injustices of segregation firsthand. He joined the ANC in 1944, rose to provincial president in Natal by 1951, and led the 1952 Defiance Campaign against pass laws - a stand that cost him his chieftaincy when he refused to choose between the ANC and his traditional role. Elected President-General that same year, he built multi-racial alliances that fractured the movement's Africanist wing and led to the founding of the Pan-Africanist Congress. After Sharpeville, as younger leaders like Mandela pushed for armed resistance, Luthuli's commitment to Gandhi-inspired nonviolence held but his influence waned. He won the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize in 1961. He died in 1967.

Country

South Africa

Politicians from South Africa 6

Kgalema Motlanthe56.9

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