New
New
Year 5

Reconciliation: the work of Desmond Tutu

I can explain how Desmond Tutu promoted reconciliation in South Africa and the connection to Christian teaching.

New
New
Year 5

Reconciliation: the work of Desmond Tutu

I can explain how Desmond Tutu promoted reconciliation in South Africa and the connection to Christian teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Desmond Tutu was a Christian leader who worked for peace and justice in South Africa.
  2. Apartheid divided South Africa, but Desmond Tutu preached love and reconciliation.
  3. He helped create the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to allow offenders to seek forgiveness.
  4. He called South Africa a ''Rainbow Nation'' to celebrate unity.

Keywords

  • Heal - to get better after being hurt or feeling sad

  • Justice - being fair and treating everyone with kindness and respect

  • Reconciliation - forgiving someone and actively trying to rebuild your relationship with them

Common misconception

Desmond Tutu was only active during the apartheid era.

Desmond Tutu played a role after apartheid and was a lifelong campaigner for justice and reconciliation.


To help you plan your year 5 religious education lesson on: Reconciliation: the work of Desmond Tutu, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There are many images of Desmond Tutu. You might want to mention he won the Nobel Peace prize for his work.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why is Nelson Mandela an important figure in history?

he discovered America
he invented the telephone
Correct answer: he played a key role in ending apartheid

Q2.
What does reconciliation mean?

creating new conflicts
ignoring past conflicts
Correct answer: restoring relations after conflict

Q3.
How did Mandela promote reconciliation?

Correct answer: by advocating unity
by encouraging division
by ignoring past conflicts

Q4.
Which part of the South African flag represents the journey from division to peace?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: the green Y-shape
the coloured bars
the black triangle

Q5.
How do Christians interpret 'I tell you, forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven times.'

Forgiveness should be unlimited.
Correct answer: Forgiveness should only happen once.
Forgiveness should never happen.

Q6.
Which is the best definition of peace?

Correct answer: being kind, working together, and living without fighting or fear
being able to make choices, speak your mind, and live without unfair rules
fixing a broken friendship or making peace after a disagreement

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What does the Truth and Reconciliation Commission do?

organises cultural festivals
separates people by their skin colour
Correct answer: allow victims to tell their stories and offenders to seek forgiveness

Q2.
Put the events of Desmond Tutu's life in order.

1 - Desmond Tutu lived in South Africa where there was a system of apartheid.
2 - As a Priest and a Bishop, Tutu spoke up for the ending of apartheid.
3 - When apartheid ended, Desmond Tutu argued that people needed to heal, not hate.
4 - Desmond Tutu was part of the Truth and Reconciliation commission.

Q3.
Why did Desmond Tutu call South Africa a “Rainbow Nation”?

Correct answer: It is home to many different people, cultures and languages.
It has lots of colourful birds and flowers.
More rainbows can be seen there than in other African countries.

Q4.
Match Desmond Tutu's actions to the teachings of Jesus.

Correct Answer:Desmond Tutu stood up for justice.,Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’.

Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’.

Correct Answer:Desmond Tutu called for forgiveness.,Jesus said to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.

Jesus said to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.

Correct Answer:Tutu fought for justice over oppression.,Jesus stood up for the poor and those treated unfairly.

Jesus stood up for the poor and those treated unfairly.

Additional material

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