Celebrating SA heroes with our highest honours
South Africans and foreign nationals to be awarded National Orders
NATIONAL Orders are the highest awards our country bestows on our citizens and foreign nationals, who have contributed to the advancement of democracy and made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans. The National Orders, to be presented on Saturday, also recognise the contributions made by individuals who contributed to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa envisaged in our constitution.
The Order of Ikhamanga recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. The Order will be bestowed in Bronze on:
Traci Mackie: For her contribution to the field of journalism and exposing the evils of apartheid. She exposed the covering-up of the manner Steve Biko’s death was reported and exposed those in the Security Branch who were involved.
Elsa Meyer: For her excellent contribution to the field of senior athletics and encouraging the elderly to remain fit in their matured years. The Order will be bestowed in Silver on:
Hashim Mohammed Amla: For his contribution to the sport of cricket. He has brought pride to our country with his many batting firsts and is one of the leading batsmen of our time.
Omar Badsha: For his commitment to the preservation of our country’s history through ground-breaking and well-balanced research.
Eric Risimati Baloyi: For his contribution to youth development through training young boxers who have gone on to make South Africa proud.
Johan Botha (posthumous): For his excellent contribution to opera music and putting South Africa on the world stage.
Lillian Dube: For her contribution to the performing arts and raising awareness in women’s health issues through storytelling.
Sipho Cecil Peter “Hotstix” Mabuse: For his contribution to music and social cohesion.
Elana Meyer: For her contribution to track and field athletics.
John Koenakeefe Motlhankana (posthumous): For his contribution to the field of art.
Mr Thami Mnyele (posthumous): For his excellent use of art and cultural activism.
Advocate Nakedi Ribane: For her contribution to the performing arts and literature.
John William Smit: For his contribution and leadership in the sport of rugby.
Neil Robert Tovey: For his excellent contribution to South African football.
The Order of the Baobab recognises South African citizens who have contributed to community service, business and economy, science, medicine and technological innovation. The Order in Silver will be bestowed on:
Maduke Lot Ndlovu (posthumous): For his excellent contribution to transformation.
Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu: For his excellent contribution to the fight for the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities.
Violet Jacobeth Seboni (posthumous): For her excellent contribution to the struggle for the rights of workers and equality for women.
The Order of Luthuli recognises South African citizens who have contributed to the struggle for democracy, nation-building, building democracy and human rights, justice and peace as well as for the resolution of conflict. The Order will be bestowed in Bronze on:
Ronald Bernickow (posthumously): For his life contribution to the fight for social justice.
Sylvia Motlagomang ‘’Mamza’’ Benjamin (posthumous): For her contribution to workers’ rights and her gallant fight against injustice. The Order will be bestowed in Silver on:
Godfrey Kenneth Beck (posthumous): For his contribution to the fight for liberation.
Lillian Lily Diedericks: For her contribution to the fight for the liberation of all South Africans and women in particular.
Mary Fitzgerald (posthumous): For her gallant fight against injustice and inequalities.
Professor Farid Esack: For his contribution to academic research and to the fight against race, gender, class and religious oppression.
Swaminathan (Swami) Karuppa Gounden: For his life-long fight against oppression.
Reverend Charles Hooper (posthumous): For his bravery and contribution to the Struggle.
Sibongile Mkhabela: For her contribution to the well-being of children and young people.
Major-General Keith Mokoape: For his contribution to the liberation movement.
Rahima Moosa (posthumous): For her selfless contribution to the fight for freedom and gender equality in South Africa.
General Maomela Moreti Motau: For his contribution to the liberation movement and conflict resolution on the African continent.
Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe: For her tenacious fight for freedom and her steadfast support of incarcerated freedom fighters. The Order will be bestowed in Gold on:
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Joseph Maphumulo (posthumous): For his contribution to conflict resolution and resistance against injustice.
Justice Dikgang Ernest Moseneke: For his outstanding contribution to the field of law and the administration of justice in South Africa.
Mama Dora Tamana (posthumous): For her sustained and brave fight against unjust laws and promoting the rights of workers.
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo recognises eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. It is an Order of peace, co-operation, solidarity and support. The Order in Bronze will be bestowed on:
Rosita Johnson: For her contribution to the well-being of young South African exiles by enabling them to pursue their education, and for raising awareness, in the US, of the plight of South Africans under apartheid. The Order in Silver will be bestowed on:
Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov: For his contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South and Southern Africa.
His efforts assisted many young South African exiles both in Africa and the former USSR.
Vyacheslav Tetekin: For his contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South and Southern African. He assisted many South African exiles in Africa and the former USSR. The Order will be bestowed in Gold on:
His Excellency Mr Joaquim Alberto Chissano: For his outstanding contribution to the liberation struggle in Southern Africa. As the second president of liberated Mozambique, he was instrumental in transforming Mozambique into a thriving democracy.
His Excellency Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire (posthumous): For his exceptional contribution to the struggle for peace and liberation in South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda and the Southern African region.
His Excellency Dr Samuel Daniel Sam Nujoma: For his opposition to the then government of apartheid South Africa. He led forces that fought alongside South African freedom fighters.
Her Excellency former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: For her exceptional contribution to women’s leadership in Africa. She tenaciously contained conflicts in a volatile region while ensuring recovery and development.
We congratulate our recipients and urge all South Africans to join us in celebrating these exceptional South Africans and friends of SA.