Formally established in 2004 as the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, the organization followed the invitation to join the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town — proudly adopting our patron Desmond Tutu’s name and values. As our work and research area expanded beyond HIV, the foundation finally underwent a name change in 2020 and became known as the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation. The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre remains as our academic arm at the University of Cape Town.

Health is a basic human right for every single individual, not only in South Africa but around the world… the rainbow in our logo is directly as a result of the Archbishop’s influence. ~ Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO