Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and an alumna of Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, shared a message about the importance of discovering one’s gifts and using them to help heal the world. As keynote speaker at the school’s annual Michael Stern Lecture, held during the institution’s 63rd anniversary celebrations under the theme “Peace Through Gentle Restoration,” the talk invited the current generation to reflect on the role each person can play in shaping a better future.
In a lecture titled “We Are the Ones We Have Waited For,” the audience was reminded of the many people throughout history who stood up against injustice, often without living to see the freedoms their efforts helped create. Their courage and sacrifice laid the groundwork for the opportunities enjoyed today, and with that comes a responsibility to act in ways that will benefit generations still to come.
Naomi Tutu, a patron of the Tutu Foundation UK, also spoke about the importance of unity and collaboration, noting that division weakens societies while connection strengthens them. Young people were encouraged to build bridges across differences of race, religion, sexuality and culture, and to resist narratives that promote hatred. Diversity, the message emphasised, allows communities to approach challenges from many perspectives, often leading to richer and more lasting solutions.
The school’s principal, Jackie Otula, reflected on the founding vision of the institution, created during apartheid to bring students from different racial and socio economic backgrounds together through education. That commitment continues today, with peace building rooted in restoring trust, dignity and opportunity. The anniversary event also included vibrant student performances, thoughtful audience discussions, and a celebration marking more than six decades of nurturing generations dedicated to peace and gentle restoration.