Before the world knew his name, Desmond Tutu was a son of Soweto. His family home there is becoming the global headquarters of the programme that carries his name.
A house with history.
The Archbishop gave this work his blessing, and the programme named for him now comes home to the house that raised him. The site is being developed as an international center for humanitarian outreach, climate-smart agribusiness innovation, education, and sustainable community development.
Marked in Soweto.
In May 2026, faith leaders, humanitarian partners, Rotary International representatives, municipal and provincial dignitaries, and international guests gathered at the home to celebrate the programme's continued expansion.
Incoming Rotary International President Yinka Babalola presented a $95,000 global grant on site. Read the story from the day in the news post.
A son of Soweto, and a programme that came home.
What grows here.
The programme builds greenhouses that run on sun and recycled water, so a community can grow, store, and sell its own food. The Soweto home anchors that work: a place to train, to teach, and to send the model outward across the continent and beyond.
The home that raised the Archbishop now anchors the work done in his name. See the programme itself on the Desmond Tutu Programme page, or the whole picture on the global work page.