Albert John Lutuli was born in what he estimates to have been 1898 in Rhodesia. He grew up to be the chief of his tribe and president-general of the African National Congress (ANC). As the leader of millions of black Africans in their non-violent campaign for civil rights, Lutuli united the two opposing cultures of the Zulu and the Christian-democratic. Anyone who knows of the accomplishments of Lutuli would agree that he was a very noble, giving, loving, and persistent man in his fight for equality of all men. It is because of these valiant traits and his impeccable character that I have chosen Lutuli to be the most important peace hero of the 20th Century.

Lutuli was a strong advocate for equal education rights for all Africans. He demanded that its quality be equal to that of white children. After completing his education, Lutuli worked as a principal and a teacher for fifteen years. In 1933, he became president of the African Teacher’s Association. In the same year, he was asked by the tribal leaders to become chief. He remained in office until he was removed by the government in 1952.

Because of the continual discrimination exerted on the blacks by the whites, the AND was founded. Its main objectives were to gain human rights by law for all. The first nonviolent tactic used to gain equality was through petitions to the authorities; this proved to be useless. At the same time, more laws were being passed to restrict the rights of the black Africans. For instance, the nonwhite community was denied all rights to participate in the government. They were discriminated against not only economically and socially, but legally as well. The government enforced these laws in order to build a barrier between the whites and nonwhites. The purpose of these laws was to limit every aspect of the lives of the nonwhites. The right to determine where they wanted to work and their status in society were virtually non-existent. They were refused the right to vote, and equal educational opportunities. Also, any interracial relationships were strongly prohibited, and if found out, both parties would be punished. Furthermore, an African Christian was not allowed to worship GOD in the same church as a white person. During this time, the outside world was ignorant of the relations between the whites and nonwhites.

The increasing restrictions placed on not only his race, but also those of other races, prompted Lutuli to take part in the ANC in 1944. The ANC began to pursue more effective action tactics such as boycotts, strikes, and peaceful campaigns; all of which Lutuli influenced profoundly. Lutuli acted as the voice and backbone of the organization. He remained unmovable in his beliefs that violence would never bring peace and harmony to himself, his people, or their relationship with the whites. Constantly pressured by two groups separated by age, maturity and wisdom, he never yielded to the pressure to use violence to save his people. These two groups were the elders and the youth of the ANC’s administration.

To better understand the accomplishments of Lutuli and how noble and tolerant he truly was, one must understand the trials and tribulations that he experienced. As President of the ANC, he was forbidden by the government to leave his home for two years. He had begun a program known as the Passive Resistance campaign. This program attempted to fight for the inclusion of the blacks in the community and the government with emphasis placed strongly on equality. In South Africa, however, the whites were not interested in uniting with the black Africans. Therefore, they demanded that he remove himself as chief if he planned to continue working with the ANC. When he refused, he was dismissed from his duties as chief.

In 1954, a meeting was called to protest the removal of blacks from Sophiatown to Meadowsland. Lutuli was restricted from speaking at this meeting because the whites knew that this would jeopardize the power and control that they held over the blacks. In order to prevent the other blacks from receiving the powerful words of Lutuli, he was once again banned from leaving his home for another two years. Lutuli ignored these limitations and continued to participate in many mass meetings, but was again placed under a travel ban for an additional five years. Despite the continuous efforts of the government to suppress him, Lutuli adamantly fought for the rights of people.

South Africa has transformed itself immensely during the last fifty years. Its once agricultural based society has given way to technology, industry, and trade. Like so many other countries it has progressed in knowledge, wealth, and population. Although from a distance it may appear as though it is made up of only one people, and ideas, if you look closely, you can see that the contributions and cooperation of all its races benefit its community, economy and future. It was because of this cooperation and great leaders like Albert Lutuli that South Africa is what it is today.

Lutuli always strove with tremendous zeal and patience to work for the progress and welfare of his people and for harmonious relationships with other sections of the multicultural society in the union of South Africa. It is because of this, and his many other heroic qualities such as hope, determination, leadership, love for all, and his relationship with the Lord, that he has been enabled to overcome all of the violence, discrimination, humiliation, and oppression with peace and love in his heart. It requires a unique heart, mind, and soul to face such hatred and in return give back nothing but love and hope for peace. Though the government banned Lutuli from the ANC, public meetings, publishing literature and ultimately from leaving his home for many years, his message, still rung strong in the minds and hearts of those who wished to obtain respect for human rights no matter their race, creed, or color. Because he had the courage to stand up for the rights of others nonviolently with no regard for what the outcome would be, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960. The government lifted his ban for ten days so that he and his wife could attend the ceremonies. Seven years later, at sixty-nine years of age, Lutuli was accidentally killed by a train as he walked on the tracks near his home.

It is my hope that the nonwhite and white peoples of South Africa will remember this remarkable man whose vast amount of knowledge and insight brought them together under his non-violent civil rights policy. Most importantly, I hope that they will acknowledge how throughout his life he sacrificed everything without bitterness to improved his country and his people. And, that when the struggle for equality, that he fought so adamantly for, became violent, that the people know that Lutuli would never have approved. We must never forget this peace hero and his clear path for equality for all men. I submit that due to his astonishing effort and great works, Albert John Lutuli deserves to be the most important peace hero of the 20th Century.