President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday bestowed the country’s highest honour, the National Orders, to nominated local and foreign individuals at an official ceremony in Pretoria.

The Orders honour individuals who have excelled in various fields, including academia, social, cultural, technological, musical, artistic and political.

Although they are conferred by the President, the recipients of the National Orders are nominated by members of the public.

Ramaphosa praised this year’s recipients and said they displayed the fundamental difference that exists between being a member of society and being a citizen.

Ramaphosa explained that while a member of society enjoys the rights afforded by the Constitution, they do not take an active part in the political, social and cultural life of the nation.

“A citizen, by contrast, assumes the duties of membership of society. A citizen embraces the concept of civic virtue – of dedication to the common welfare of their community and their country,” he added.

The six National Orders 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.

Ramaphosa said the recipients of the National Orders represent the values, ideals and aspirations of the millions of South Africans who stood in line to vote for freedom on April 27, 1994.

The President went on to describe the destruction and devastation from the Easter floods, which he witnessed yesterday during his visit to KwaZulu-Natal and in the Eastern Cape. 

“I saw citizens of our country rallying around those who were affected [by the floods]. This is the most moving demonstration of what our citizens can do. We have among us the very best of such citizens,” he said.

He urged the National Orders recipients to be even more inspired and to set greater goals driven by a commitment to lifelong learning and to a constant betterment of the self.

“You have shown that as South Africans we can render service to the Republic in many different ways. I wish to congratulate you, as well as the families of those who are being recognised posthumously. The men and women we honour today have scaled the heights but we know too well that these do not yet represent the pinnacle of their achievements.

“You have shown that as South Africans you can render service to the republic in many different ways. You have exerted yourselves to the best of your respective abilities, and excelled. You give us further cause to believe that South Africa’s future is bright. You have done your duty. You have made your country proud,” Ramaphosa said.

ORDER OF MENDI FOR BRAVERY

The Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver was bestowed on nine-year-old Thapelo Tambani from Soshanguve after he pulled his friend from a water-filled pit near his home last year, and unfortunately, lost his own life in the process.

“There is no honour, no award, that can extinguish the pain of the loss of a life so young, in circumstances so tragic. To Thapelo’s family, we wish you strength. Your son was among the bravest of the brave,” Ramaphosa said.

ORDER OF IKHAMANGA

The Order of Ikhamanga is bestowed on South Africans who have excelled in the fields of the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

“Whether as athletes, artists, musicians, polemicists, actors or writers, through your work you have greatly enriched the cultural life of the country, in the process fostering social cohesion and serving to rally us around our common identity as South Africans,” said Ramaphosa.

The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver was bestowed on:

• Achmat Davids (Posthumous)
• Yvonne Chaka Chaka Mhinga
• Nomhle Nkonyeni
• Benjamin Pogrund
• Mathatha Tsedu
• Jacques Kallis
• Mary Mhlongo

The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold was bestowed on Johaar Mosaval for his contribution to the performing arts through ballet dancing. His talent led him to be the first black South African to become a senior principal dancer at the Royal Ballet.

ORDER OF THE BAOBAB

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

“As researchers, scientists and inventors, you have used your talent and expertise to further our understanding of the most pressing questions of the day, and aided our quest to solve some of our greatest challenges,” said the President.

The Order of the Baobab in Silver was bestowed on:

• Braam Jordaan
• Constance Mirriam Thokozile Koza (Posthumous)
• Bongani Donald Mkhwanazi (Posthumous)
• Ray and Dora Phillips (Posthumous)
• William Smith

ORDER OF LUTHULI

The Order of Luthuli acknowledges the contribution of South Africans to the struggle for democracy, to nation-building, to human rights, to justice and peace, and to conflict resolution.

“As fighters, activists and historians, you played a formative role not just in the struggle for freedom, but also in the construction of a new society founded on the values of equality and non-discrimination. You recognised, as we do, that the attainment of liberation was just the first step towards realising a South Africa that is just and prosperous, and were prepared to continue to play your part to realise a society free of poverty, want and underdevelopment,” said Ramaphosa.

The Order of Luthuli in Silver was bestowed on:

• Velaphi Msane
• Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe
• Antony Andrew Trew
• Moyisile Douglas Tyutyu
• Yosuf (Joe) Veriava

ORDER OF MAPUNGUBWE

The Order of Mapungubwe recognises those who have accomplished excellence and exceptional achievement to the benefit of South Africa and beyond.

“By means of your scholarship, your research and your advocacy, you have elevated South Africa as an incubator of knowledge, innovation and progress on some of the most critical global issues, from nanotechnology to social science to climate change,” Ramaphosa stated.

The Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze was bestowed on:

• Thokozani Majozi

The Order of Mapungubwe in Silver was bestowed on:

• Malik Maaza
• Ari Sitas

The order in Gold was bestowed on Edna Edith Molewa (Posthumous).

ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF OR TAMBO

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is bestowed on foreign nationals for the friendship and support they have shown to South Africa.

“The man whose name this award carries, Oliver Reginald Tambo, was one of the main drivers of the international movement of solidarity against apartheid. In bestowing this honour, we salute those of our friends in the international community who have consistently embodied the values of compassion, of humanity and of ubuntu: that a person is a person through other people,” said Ramaphosa.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Bronze was bestowed on Riccardo Sarra (Italy), “for his consistent contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South Africa and the Southern African region”.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver was bestowed on:

• Klaas de Jonge (The Netherlands)
• Khotso Makhulu (United Kingdom)
• Paulette Pierson-Mathy (Belgium)  
• Amii Omara-Otunnu (Uganda)
• Lucia Raadschelders – posthumous (The Netherlands)

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Gold was bestowed on Admiral Didier Ignace Ratsiraka (Madagascar), “for his outstanding contribution to the struggle for democracy in South Africa”.