Nomalizo Leah Tutu (néeShenxane; born 14 October 1933) is a South African activist and the widow of Desmond Tutu.[1][2]
Life
Tutu was born Nomalizo Leah Shenxane on 14 October 1933 in Krugersdorp, South Africa.[2] She married Desmond Tutu on 2 July 1955. They had four children: Trevor Thamsanqa, Theresa Thandeka, Naomi Nontombi and Mpho Andrea, all of whom attended the Waterford Kamhlaba School in Swaziland.[3] They have nine grandchildren: Palesa Tutu and Lizo Tutu via Trevor, Xabiso Gxashe via Thandeka, Tebogo Joy Ngoma, Nompumelelo Ngomane, and Mpilo Ngomane via Naomi, and Nyaniso Burris and Onalena Burris via Mpho.[4] They renewed their marriage vows in 2015 in Orlando, Soweto.[5] She underwent hip surgery in 2016.[6]
Career and activism
She lived for over 50 years at Tutu House which they extended in 1990
Leah Tutu was a teacher and a nurse. During the period between 1970 and 1972, she worked as an assistant to the registrar at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.[2] She co-founded the South African Domestic Workers Association.[1] She was the director of the Domestic Workers and Employers Project of the South African Institute of Race Relations from 1976 to 1984.[2][4] She co-founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in 1988. She lectures to many churches and women's groups.[4]
