South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Thursday was awarded a one-off million-dollar prize by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that promotes good governance on the continent.
At a glitzy Johannesburg hotel, Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim said the special civil society prize was in recognition of Tutu’s “lifelong commitment to speaking truth to power”.
He said the award was not designed to replace his annual excellence in African leadership prize, given to former heads of state who step down after a tenure that respected their country’s constitution.
Tutu, who turns 81 on Sunday responded modestly to the news of being awarded the prize, saying he had been very fortunate throughout his life to be surrounded by people of the highest calibre, including his wife Leah.
“It is these generous people who have guided, prodded, assisted, cajoled – and ultimately allowed me to take the credit,” Tutu said.
Ibrahim’s prize giving has put him at front and centre of the debate over governance in Africa