Ramaphosa honours activists
FROM JOURNOS TO FIGHTERS National Orders recipients fought against apartheid.
Alarge number of former Black Consciousness (BC) leaders are among those to be honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa with national awards on Tuesday in recognition of the role they played against apartheid.
The orders are the highest awards that the country, through the president, bestow on South Africans and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards improving the lives of South Africans.
They are the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
Peter Jones, a former comrade and right-hand man of the late BC leader, Steve Biko, is recognised for his courageous contribution in mobilising communities across South Africa.
According to Chancellor of the National Orders and Presidency director-general Phindile Baleni, Jones – died a few years ago – was “one of the leading lights advocating for Black Consciousness message of self-reliance, pride and self-affirmation”.
Similarly, fellow BC members to be recognised include the late Kenneth Rachidi, the last president of the Black People’s Convention.
Rachidi resisted unjust laws that promoted inequality, lived by BC ethics and pursued activism by opposing oppression.
BC’s Prof Harry Nengwekhulu is recognised for having straddled academia and political activism meant to free South Africa.
Another BC stalwart on the list is late former Sowetan editor, Aggrey Klaaste, a wellknown initiator of nationbuilding.
Benjamin Langa, another BC leader, is recognised for his ultimate sacrifice for equality and social justice in South Africa.
Also recognised posthumously are former young Eastern Cape activists Tobsy Madaka and Siphiwo Mthimkhulu, who both died in the hands of apartheid security forces.
Madaka died when the vehicle he was travelling in was blown with an explosive in Port Elizabeth
(now Gqeberha), while Mthimkhulu was poisoned by apartheid security forces also in Port Elizabeth.
Famous uMkhonto weSizwe member Nokuthula Simelane, who was also brutally murdered by the apartheid system, is recognised with an order for her contribution in the struggle.
Journalist Noni Jabavu receives an award for her excellent contribution in the field of journalism and scholarship on the liberation struggle.
Composer Madala Kunene is recognised for his contribution to the arts, using home-brewed and
unique South Africa sounds.
Rural Xhosa traditional musician Madosini Mphahleni is to be honoured for her service in preserving and elevating indigenous musical traditions.
Foreigners on the list include Huub Bammens from The Netherlands, for his contribution to promoting awareness of human rights violations by the apartheid government to the world via Radio Freedom.
Others from abroad who played role in anti-apartheid efforts came from the US, Canada and the UK.