Arcbishop Desmond Tutu

The anti-apartheid hero, Arcbishop Desmond Tutu, was Thursday in Senegal, awarded $1 million, by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that promotes good governance in Africa.

Although Tutu is not in government, the Foundation adjudged him courageous and frank in telling those in power the truth always, without caring whose ox is gored.

The Foundation reasoned that such courage, in a way, helps to also promote god governance. In announcing the award, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation remarked that Tutu “is and has throughout his life been one of Africa’s great voices for justice, freedom, democracy, responsible, responsive government”.

Tutu who is also a Nobel Peace Laureate has been vocal in condemning the acts of governments anywhere in the world, be it, Israelis against Palestinians, or China against Tibetans.

He survived the apartheid regime where he was a fiery critic, and has remained critical of governments ever since South Africa abolished racial discrimination.

The Foundation which also gives out $5 million every year to a democratically-elected former president or head of state in Africa who steps down from power in accordance with the country’s constitution, failed to give the award in 2009 and 2010, because no such former leader was adjudged qualified for the prize. The award was instituted in 2006.

“The lack of outstanding leadership is not only an African problem. It is a global problem. We don’t just hand out the award for the sake of announcing a winner,” Ibrahim said.