Derick Moyo, Deputy Chief of Mission of the South African Embassy in D.C., spoke in an introduction to Africa class Thursday after receiving this year’s Delta Prize on behalf of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Delta Prize in Atlanta on Wednesday for his leadership in ending apartheid and for aiding South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy.

Moyo focused on South Africa’s efforts to educate other countries in Africa about democracy.

“Every democracy is different,” he said, referring to South Africa’s philosophy about helping other countries. It is the head of the United Nation’s post-conflict committee.

He said all democracies “need to have respect for human rights” and that the rest varies from nation to nation. Moyo believes democratic nations must not abandon countries in the beginning stages of a democracy, he said.

The University has awarded the Delta Prize annually since a $890,000 endowment from the Delta Air Lines Foundation in 1997.

Candidates are picked by a select group of students chosen by President Michael Adams. Past winners include: Desmund Tutu, Ted Turner and Jimmy and Roselyn Carter.