Made possible through a partnership with Rotary, Thandeka's visit reinforced the importance of community collaboration in promoting cultural awareness, social justice and the power of education
In late September, Colorado Mesa University hosted a special Cultural Café event featuring Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, daughter of renowned human rights activist and late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Held in the Center for Teaching & Learning, the event provided a unique opportunity for faculty, staff, students and the broader community to engage with Thandeka's inspiring message of peace and empowerment through education.
Thandeka highlighted the critical work of the Tutudesk Campaign, which she co-led with her father before his passing, aiming to provide 20 million Tutudesks to African school children by 2025. With over 95 million children in sub-Saharan Africa facing classroom desk shortages, her initiative seeks to combat the negative impacts these shortages have on literacy development and continued education. By offering a mobile, stable desk, the Tutudesk provides a tangible resource that creates immediate, lasting benefits for children's educational experiences.
The importance of education as a tool for change and empowerment is a value shared by both Thandeka and CMU. Just as the Tutudesk Campaign seeks to give children the means to succeed in their education, CMU is committed to empowering its students with the knowledge and opportunities they need to shape their futures. This commitment to education can be seen in initiatives like CMU’s Mav the Vote Engagement Series, which is currently preparing students to engage in civil discourse and civic participation during this election season. Through Mav the Vote, CMU faculty and staff are working to educate the campus community on the importance of informed voting, creating spaces for respectful discussion, and encouraging students to be active participants in shaping their communities, just as Thandeka’s work seeks to shape the future of Africa’s next generation.
Thandeka’s visit was particularly impactful for CMU students, especially those who come from regions where educational opportunities have been dismantled, such as Afghanistan. Her story resonated deeply, aligning with CMU’s mission of making college accessible and affordable for all. The event encouraged attendees to reflect on how education, whether through global campaigns like Tutudesk or local efforts like Mav the Vote, is a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation.
Several Tutudesks were brought to the event, allowing select audience members to take one home as a reminder of the campaign's mission and its broader implications for education. The connection between Thandeka’s global efforts and CMU’s local initiatives highlights the shared belief in education as a catalyst for positive change, both in sub-Saharan Africa and right here in western Colorado.
Made possible through a partnership with Rotary, Thandeka's visit reinforced the importance of community collaboration in promoting cultural awareness, social justice and the power of education. Just as Thandeka empowers children through her worldwide efforts, CMU is engaging students to be active participants in the democratic process to become leaders in their own right. Faculty, students, and staff left the event motivated to support educational initiatives and build a more informed and connected world.
