Desmond Tutu on what one person can do

Between 1948 and 1994 in South Africa, people were classified into four "races" -- white, black, Indian and "coloured", which was a mix of black and white. The system was called Apartheid.

Although they were the original inhabitants of Africa, and there were many more blacks than whites in the country, under Apartheid black people were not allowed to vote. They were not considered citizens in their own country. The South African government set up separate, segregated education, medical care, and other public services for blacks, which were greatly inferior to those of whites. The 'black schools' were only designed to prepare blacks for lives in manual labor.

Supported by many people in the West, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and other black leaders resisted Apartheid and worked to change it. Desmond Tutu, who was the first black Archbishop in South Africa's Anglican Church (the religion of most South African whites), led non-violent resistance to Apartheid. He worked hard to make the rest of the world aware of what was going on. At one point he led a group of blacks to an "all white" beach, where they were beaten back with sticks and rocks. Still he did not stop, and he spoke out at every chance he could find.

In 1986 he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent efforts to resolve this injustice against his people.

Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela's work changed the history of South Africa, and the world. In 1994, South Africa held a truly democratic election. Nelson Mandela, a black man and a hero of the anti-Apartheid movement, was elected President of the country. Around the world, people celebrated this victory for equality and justice.

Mary Wald, founder of The Peace Kids and TheCommunity.com, had the chance to sit and talk to Desmond Tutu about how to work for peace. Here he talks about why the actions of just one person can make such a huge difference.

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