Mpho Andrea Tutu van Furth
Biography
Mpho Tutu van Furth is a South African priest, author, artist, and public speaker. She earned a Master of Divinity from Episcopal Divinity School and was ordained in the Episcopal Church. Her work has included ministry, refugee and scholarship programs, human rights initiatives, and nonprofit leadership. She founded the Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage and later served as executive director of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.
Tutu van Furth has co-authored Made for Goodness and The Book of Forgiving with her father, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Tutu: The Authorised Portrait with journalist Allister Sparks. She authored Forgiveness and Reparation, the Healing Journey and contributed to The Book of Queer Prophets. Her writing and public work explore forgiveness, reconciliation, spirituality, human dignity, and social justice.
After her marriage to Marceline van Furth, she relinquished her license to officiate as a priest in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which did not permit its clergy to marry same-sex partners. She has continued her ministry and public advocacy in Europe and is currently executive director of the Tutu Teach Foundation, where she works with her wife on initiatives focused on education, opportunity, gender, spirituality, and belonging.
BQW Impact
Tutu van Furth contributes to Black queer cultural and religious life through public advocacy for human dignity, equality, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Her marriage to a woman and subsequent loss of authorization to minister in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa brought questions of sexuality, faith, and institutional inclusion into public discussion.
Her continuing work in ministry, writing, nonprofit leadership, and public speaking connects queer inclusion with forgiveness, reconciliation, and human rights. Her public presence reflects the intersection of Black South African identity, Christian leadership, and bisexual identity within contemporary conversations about faith and LGBTQIA+ belonging.
Notable Works
Made for Goodness (2010)
Co-authored with Desmond Tutu, this book explores goodness, faith, and the human capacity to respond to suffering and injustice.
Tutu: The Authorised Portrait (2011)
Co-authored with journalist Allister Sparks, this authorized biography documents the life and public legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Book of Forgiving (2014)
Co-authored with Desmond Tutu, this book presents a four-part approach to forgiveness and reconciliation.
Forgiveness and Reparation, the Healing Journey (2022)
This book explores forgiveness, reconciliation, and the relationship between personal healing and social repair.
Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage (2005 - 2011)
Initiative founded by Tutu van Furth focused on prayer, pilgrimage, spiritual reflection, and community.
Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation (2011 - 2016)
Organization for which Tutu van Furth served as executive director, advancing the Tutu family's work around reconciliation, human rights, and social justice.
Learn More
Tutu van Furth's official website features her biography, writing, artwork, speaking work, and reflections on faith, sexuality, and forgiveness.
The foundation's website documents Tutu van Furth's current organizational work and its focus on education, gender, spirituality, opportunity, and belonging.
The institutional announcement for Tutu van Furth's 2024 Pride Talk provides background on her work as a priest, author, and human rights activist and her advocacy for LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Creator-specific interview in which Tutu van Furth discusses her marriage, bisexual identity, faith, and decision to relinquish her Anglican ministry license.