Archbishop Tutu was appointed Chairperson of the TRC by former President Nelson Mandela. He was formerly Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. He retired in 1996 when he undertook the task of chairing the TRC. On his retirement the Synod of Bishops bestowed upon him the title of Archbishop Emeritus. In addition to chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission he was Chairperson of the Human Rights Violations Committee.

On his retirement Emory University, Atlanta had offered the Archbishop a Visiting Professorship. He was able to accept this when the Commission handed over its report in 1998 and he remained at Emory for two years. From January-May 2002 he was Visiting Professor at the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts and, most recently, Visiting Scholar in Residence at the University of North Florida for the 2003 spring semester. He and Mrs Tutu have now returned to Cape Town.

Archbishop Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He is renowned internationally for his prophetic voice against oppression and injustice not only against apartheid but also on more recent issues such as the conflict in the Middle East and the military threat against Iraq. He is also widely sought after for his views on forgiveness and reconciliation. The Archbishop is married to Leah and they have four children and six grandchildren.