Janet Jobson, CEO of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, alongside Solange Nolan, receives the World’s Children’s Prize from Sekunjalo Chairman Dr Iqbal Survé.
Image: Lilita Gcwabe
In the year marking what would have been Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 95th birthday, the prestigious World’s Children’s Prize, often referred to as the “Children’s Nobel Prize”, has been formally handed over to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in honour of his lifelong fight for justice and children’s rights.
The international award recognises individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing the dignity, protection, and empowerment of children worldwide.
Tutu was selected for the honour in recognition of his moral leadership and unwavering advocacy for the most vulnerable.
Although he passed away in 2021 before he could receive the prize in person, the award, delivered to the foundation on Wednesday, will serve as a lasting symbol of his impact.
Dr Iqbal Survé, who is also a former recipient of the World’s Children’s Prize, was entrusted with formally handing over the award on behalf of the organisation and its founder, Magnus Bergmar.
Survé had previously been unable to travel to Sweden to accept his own award due to Covid-19 restrictions, making the handover on what would have been the Arch’s 95th birthday, even more meaningful to him.
"It is deeply meaningful that this award will now be on display for the public," said Survé.
"The Arch stood for shared humanity. Much of what the foundation continues to do today. This is visible in programmes such as Leadership for Humanity, which is about helping people find one another and recognise that, fundamentally, we are the same," he said.
Founded in Sweden, the World’s Children’s Prize is awarded annually to global champions of children’s rights. Tutu had been due to receive the accolade from Queen Silvia of Sweden, patron of the prize, at a ceremony at Gripsholm Castle outside Stockholm, but was unable to attend before his passing.
Janet Jobson, CEO of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, received the award and reflected on the enduring impact of Tutu’s life and work.
"When we heard that Dr Survé would be bringing the award from Sweden, we were overjoyed," said Jobson.
"The story behind the World’s Children’s Prize and the Arch’s involvement is incredibly special. It is wonderful to welcome the prize home to the archive."
She explained that one of the foundation’s key responsibilities, in partnership with the Intellectual Property Trust, is managing Tutu’s personal archive, which has a rich collection of his writings, speeches, awards, and correspondence.
"It is always a joy when someone comes forward with something of the Arch’s," she said.
A photograph of Archbishop Desmond Tutu standing on Table Mountain hanging at the archival centre in the background.
Image: Lilita Gcwabe
Jobson described Tutu as a leader whose moral courage shaped generations.
"The Arch had the ability to speak truth to power, to call out injustice while holding the humanity of everyone, even the perpetrator, as sacred. That way of life and those values feel deeply needed in the world today."
A lot of the foundation’s work centres on children and young people through leadership programmes, workshops on democracy and peacebuilding, and initiatives promoting active citizenship. Thousands of learners visit the foundation annually to participate in its educational programmes.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which Tutu chaired, a milestone reflected in a special exhibition at the foundation.
Suni Geness, director of Global Government Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP Africa, said the timing of the award’s arrival was particularly significant.
"Being in this archival centre brings back memories of the courage that defined the Arch," Geness said.
"This is a surreal and important moment for his legacy to be commemorated in so many ways, including through this award."
Sekunjalo Chairman Dr Iqbal Survé turns the pages of the family journey book, which echoes the same values and tells the story of how business and philanthropy can be used to find each other in shared humanity.
Image: Lilita Gcwabe
Survé also presented his family’s Journey Book, which echoes similar values of shared humanity and demonstrates how business, philanthropy, and global networks can be used to uplift communities.
"There is strong synergy between what the Tutu Foundation is doing and what our family has been committed to for over two decades," he said.
Survé explained that when compiling the book, philanthropy was initially intended to be its smallest section. However, as the work unfolded, it became central.
"We identify existing NGOs working in communities and support them, whether in child trafficking prevention, education, poverty reduction, music, arts, or culture."
The Survé Family Foundation currently supports more than 150 organisations globally, including international groups combating the trafficking of women and girls.
"We fund initiatives beyond South Africa because child trafficking affects women and girls here too," he said. "Wherever there is need, and where meaningful work is being done, we will consider support. It’s not about geography, it’s about impact."
The foundation’s "Truth to Power" exhibition, which captures the remarkable story of Tutu’s life and activism, is open to the public throughout the week from 9.30am to 3.30pm at an entry fee of R50.