Season 2, Ep. 1 | In Conversation with Rev. Naomi Tutu
In the opening episode of the second season of More Elephant, we are in conversation with Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, an activist deeply influenced by her upbringing in South Africa, in the era of apartheid, and by her late father, Reverend Desmond Tutu.
Rev. Tutu shares her journey from rejecting the idea of priesthood to embracing her call to ministry in her 50s. Our conversation delves into her personal and professional evolution, highlighting the impacts of apartheid, racial, economic, and gender inequities, and her continued dedication to advocating for marginalized communities.
We touch on Rev. Tutu's reflections on political and intimate violence, the significance of systemic access, and the resurgence of oppressive forces juxtaposed with signs of hopeful activism.
Our conversation also navigates the powerful role of faith in societal change while remaining critical of religious nationalism. Rev. Tutu’s shared wisdom illustrates the profound effect of historical struggles and the potential for collective progress led by younger generations, offering an inspiring lens on how we can live better by truly listening and learning.
Bold, thoughtful, inspiring—there is no better way to open the new season of the More Elephant podcast.
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Show Notes
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu is an Episcopal priest, activist, and speaker.
Rev. Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. Born in apartheid South Africa, she grew up witnessing the struggles of racial and gender oppression. Indeed, the challenges of growing up black and female in South Africa have been the foundation of her lifelong commitment to human rights.
Those experiences taught her that our whole human family loses when we accept situations of oppression, and how teaching and preaching hate and division injure us all.
Her life’s work has ranged from development consulting and teaching, to race and gender activism, to leading Truth and Reconciliation workshops.
Though she resisted following in the footsteps of her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, she accepted the call to ministry later in life. She is currently a priest associate at All Saint’s Episcopal in Atlanta, where she continues to speak on justice, reconciliation, and our shared humanity.
Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:
Rev. Tutu shares that while “I have my father’s nose, I do not want his job” was her early-life credo, life had other plans.
Rev. Tutu highlights the link between political instability and the rise of gender-based violence.
Rev. Tutu discusses her work focused on racial, economic, and gender empowerment, highlighting the power of inclusivity and diversity in building a fairer society.
and more…
More About Naomi Tutu: Website
Transcript
More Elephant Intro
[00:00:38] Jason Rudman: My guest today once said that she knew from early in life that the one thing she would never be is a priest.
She has always said, “I have my father's nose, I do not want his job,” but life had other plans.
So, growing up in apartheid South Africa, the Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu experienced humanity at its rawest and most unequal. Those experiences have been transformational in the foundation of her life as an activist for human rights.
After decades of professional experience, she was led to the call to preach and finally, in her 50s, she responded to that call and went to seminary to continue advocating for the underrepresented and the marginalized.
And so, there is no better way that we could start the second season of More Elephant, which is all about ‘listen, learn, live, better,’ than to be in conversation with, as she told me I should call her, Naomi Tutu. Welcome.
[00:01:36] Naomi Tutu: Thank you, Jason. Thank you.
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