Ramaphosa Bestows National Orders
President Cyril Ramaphosa bestowed the highest accolade in South Africa, the National Orders, to 32 deserving individuals in a ceremony held at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane on Tuesday.
The National Orders are a revered honour, recognizing outstanding contributions to democracy, literature, arts, science, and towards fostering a unified society. This year’s recipients, highlighted in the National Orders Book for 2024, have been lauded for embodying values such as selflessness, racial harmony, and equality.
Phindile Baleni, Director-General in the Presidency and Chancellor of National Orders, praised the awardees for their significant contributions. “These men and women have given concrete meaning to the eternal values of selflessness, love for freedom, racial harmony, equality and self-application, so as to reach seemingly impossible heights of achievement that we proudly acknowledge today, and from which our nation benefits,” he remarked.
Among those honoured were pioneers in bravery, the arts, and the struggle for freedom, with several posthumous recognitions reflecting on the sacrifices made for today’s liberties. The recipients included heroes and heroines from the Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver: recognising acts of extraordinary bravery, and the Order of Ikhamanga, in both Gold and Silver, acknowledging excellence in arts, culture, and sport.
The Order of the Baobab was awarded to individuals for outstanding service in business and the economy, community service or philanthropy, and the Order of Luthuli honoured those who have contributed to the struggle for democracy, nation-building, building democracy and human rights, justice and peace. Additionally, the Order of Mapungubwe recognized achievements in international relations and diplomacy.
Highlighting the international aspect of the awards, the Order of The Companions Of Or Tambo in Silver was awarded to foreign nationals who have actively promoted South Africa’s interests and aspirations.
The recipients are as follows:
The Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver:
- Ms MaWilliams Kekana
- Mr Ignatius ‘Iggy’ Mthebule (Posthumous)
- Mr Makhwezi McDonald Mtulu (Posthumous)
- Mr Robert Anthony Basil Waterwitch (Posthumous)
- Ms Coline Denise Williams (Posthumous)
The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold:
- Ms Nontando ‘Noni’ Helen Jabavu (Posthumous)
- Dr Aggrey Klaaste (Posthumous)
- Dr Muziwakhe ‘Madala’ Kunene
The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver:
- Mr Angus Gibson
- Mr Emile Lester Jansen
- Ms Saray N’kusi Khumalo
- Ms Sophie Msoziswa Mahlangu
- Dr Latozi ‘Madosini’ Mpahleni (Posthumous)
- Mr Trevor Dundas Mweli Skota (Posthumous)
The Order of the Baobab in Gold:
- Ms Blanche Valeria La Guma (Posthumous)
- Ms Zukiswa Patricia Matolengwe
The Order of Luthuli in Gold:
- Mr Mxolisi ‘Dicky’ Jacobs (Posthumous)
- Mr Peter Cyril Jones (Posthumous)
- Mr Benjamin Langa (Posthumous)
- Mr Thobekile ‘Topsy’ Madaka (Posthumous)
- Mr Siphiwo Mtimkhulu (Posthumous)
- Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu
- Mr Kenneth Hlako Rachidi (Posthumous)
- Ms Annie Silinga (Posthumous)
- Ms Nokuthula Simelane (Posthumous)
The Order of Mapungubwe in Silver:
- Prof Mulalo Doyoyo (Posthumous)
The Order of The Companions Of Or Tambo In Silver:
- Mr Huub Bammens – The Netherlands
- Ms Donna Katzin – United States of America
- Mr Ken Luckhardt – Canada
- Sir Nicholas Stadlen (Posthumous) –United Kingdom
- Mr Fulco Van Aurich – The Netherlands
- Ms Brenda Wall – Canada
The ceremony was not just a celebration of achievement but a reminder of the enduring values that underpin South Africa’s vibrant democracy. “They have, without exception, proffered worthy contributions to the development of our society. We commend to you these noble men and women of our country, our continent and our common world, as recipients of the prestigious National Orders. We salute them, one and all,” Baleni concluded.
