Barney pityana biography
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In 2001, he was awarded the Tribute Achievers Award for Leadership.
In 2002, he was appointed as a fellow of King's College London and in the same year he was given an honourable mention in the 2002 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's Prize for Human Rights Education. in Religious Studies from the University of Cape Town in 1995 and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in February 1996.
In a rich career, Pityana has skilfully straddled the worlds of religion, academia, law and human rights. BProc, University South Africa, 1976.
Honours Bachelor's Degree, Kings College, London, 1981. He enrolled for further studies at King's College in London and obtained an Honours degree in 1981.
In the years that followed, he undertook training for the Anglican Ministry at Ripon Cuddesdon College in Oxford and also became ordained as an Anglican priest.
An exceptional child, the young Pityana earned the Andrew Smith Scholarship that enabled him to attend Lovedale, a progressive Scottish-run missionary school in Alice.
During his senior years at Lovedale, Pityana began to develop an interest in politics and joined the African National Congress Youth League.
He served as parish priest in Milton Keynes and Birmingham for several years. He holds honorary degrees from Trinity College, Hartford (1996) and from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (1999). Trainee, Anglican ministry, Ripon Cuddesdon College, Oxford. Recipient Honorary Life Member, Society of South Africa, 2000, Tribute Achievers award for leadership, Africa Day, 2001, honorable mention, United Nations Educational Prize for Human Rights Education, 2002, Silver award, Order Grand Counseller Baobab, 2006; fellow, King's College, London, 2002.
Pityana returned to South Africa in 1993, following the end of apartheid.
He continued working in theology and human rights, completing a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town in 1995. Through his endeavours and example, he has embodied an unshakeable commitment to building a free, non-racial and just society and world.
Pityana obtained his Ph.D.
He became very involved in various progressive Christian organisations. Through his endeavours and example he has embodied an unshakeable commitment to build a free, non-racial and just society and world.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, 1996.
His life reflects a determined effort to end racism and injustice. In 1978, exhausted after a year in detention, Pityana went into exile in England, together with his wife and child. Pityana played a key role in mobilising support on the international front.
As director of the World Council of Churches' Programme to Combat Racism – a position he held between 1988 and 1992 – his activities proved decisive in the final dismantling of apartheid and the eventual agreement to enter into negotiations.
Pityana returned to South Africa in 1992 and joined the University of Cape Town from January 1993 to 1995.
In October 1995, Pityana was appointed as the chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission.
Background
Pityana was born in Uitenhage and attended the University of Fort Hare.