Van Niekerk runs off with gold again – at National Orders

SOUTH Africa’s golden athlete, record-breaking international track and field sprinter Wayde van Niekerk, scooped another award yesterday – the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold.

Van Niekerk, however, was not present to receive his award from President Jacob Zuma, Grand Patron of the National Orders.

Van Niekerk was one of a number of South African and foreign recipients who were bestowed with orders at an event at the Sefako Makgatho presidential guest house in Pretoria.

“On this day, we celebrate freedom by recognising distinguished persons in our country and friends of our country from abroad who have contributed in various ways to advancing humanity,” Zuma told guests.

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its president, can bestow on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

“The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South Africans who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. This year it is conferred on nine recipients,” said Zuma. “They include Olympic stars in athletics and in water sport, and those who deployed their artistic skills of poetry, journalism, oratory and writings to highlight the apartheid injustices.”

Next, Zuma bestowed the Order of the Baobab, which recognises South Africans who have contributed to community service, business and economy, science, medicine and technological innovation.

“This year we confer it on five recipients, and we commend them for their exemplary and inspirational contribution in their fields,” said Zuma.

The other category was the Order of Mapungubwe. “The recipients in this category are mainly those who have excelled in scientific research and technology and attained vast international recognition, thus making this country immensely proud,” said Zuma. “This year it goes to two young people with great achievements in science and technology, which inspires other youth.”

The Order of Luthuli is conferred on South Africans who have served the country through “meaningful contribution” in the Struggle for “democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice, peace and conflict resolution”.

“The nine recipients in this category include a formidable combination of those who fought apartheid though community development, advocating inclusive higher education, through underground sabotage activities, through mobilising international financial resources to assist in political trials, and through confronting the callous injustices meted out by notorious apartheid muni- cipalities,” said Zuma.

On the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo, Zuma said the struggle for democracy in South Africa received widespread international support.

“We remain grateful for that gesture. Through our foreign policy we are also continually advancing the frontiers of peace, prosperity, stability and international security…

“Oliver Tambo, a struggle stalwart who would have turned 100 this year, guided the ANC in its exile years and international solidarity activities over a long time.”

This year’s Order of Companions of OR Tambo was bestowed on Maurice Bogatsu of Botswana (posthumously), Euzhan Palcy of Martinique and former president and prime minister of East Timor, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao. – ANA

WINNING SMILE: Sprinter Wayde Van Niekerk has received an Order of Ikhamanga in Gold.