A good-governance foundation in Africa is giving a special award to South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced the award Thursday, saying Tutu — who was a leader in the struggle against apartheid — has long been one of Africa's great voices for “justice, freedom, democracy and responsible government.”

The award comes with a grant of $1 million. It will be presented later this year at a forum in Senegal's capital, Dakar.

Archbishop Tutu, a Nobel peace laureate, currently runs a peace center in his name.

Sudanese businessman Mo Ibrahim established the foundation that bears his name in 2006 to promote quality governance across Africa.

The foundation gives an annual $5 million award to former African heads of state who demonstrate excellence in office and observe constitutional term limits.

Winners of that award include South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Mozambique's Joaquim Chissano, Botswana's Festus Mogae and Pedro de Verona Rodrigues Pires of Cape Verde.

The foundation says the 2012 award winner will be announced in London on October 15.