Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s legacy project is secured following the successful art auction

Last week auctioneers at Strauss & Co hosted an auction to raise money for the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation when top-grade artworks, great wines, and once-in-a-lifetime experience went on auction, raising R3.5-million (approximately £172k).

A signed first edition of Desmond Tutu’s ‘God Has a Dream, leather-bound hardcover, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Archbishop was one of the top sellers in the auction.

In addition to the first edition, one of the experiences sold at the auction was a weekend stay for eight to ten people in a private villa in the Grootbos Nature Reserve, close to the southern tip of Africa. The villa is secluded, and surrounded by pristine fynbos in the eco-reserve tucked between mountains and sea.

“One of the salutary sayings from the Arch is that ‘we learn from history that we do not learn from history’. Our task at the Foundation is to make sure that we do truly learn from his own vast historical contributions and that the lessons we learn take us forward towards a society that is healed, reconciled and at peace with itself. We are delighted with the results of the auction, which exceeded our expectations, and are excited to put the proceeds towards firmly establishing his legacy through the Tutu Legacy Fund” said Foundation CEO Piyushi Kotecha.

The success of the auction is a great boost for the Desmond & Leah Tutu Foundation which continues to use the Tutu’s rich archival heritage to promote

learning, leadership, and dialogue. This takes place through research and development, archival digitisation, museum design and curation, and programmes and events to promote these values.

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