CELEBRATING THE INVESTITURE TH YEAR OF DEMOCRACY CEREMONY OF THE AND FREEDOM NATIONAL ORDERS20 2 HIGHEST HONOUR South African National Orders COPYRIGHT © 2014 The Presidency, Union Buildings, Private Bag x1000, Pretoria,0001 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the publishers. 3 4 CONTENTSCONTENTS Foreword by the Grand Patron of the National Orders and the President of the Republic of South Africa 6 Message from the Chancellor of Orders 12 Message from the Advisory Council 16 History of the Democratic South Africa’s National Orders 20 Order of Mapungubwe 22 Order of the Baobab 36 Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo 58 Mendi Decoration for Bravery 74 Order of Ikhamanga 82 Order of Luthuli 114 5 6 FOREWORD BY THE GRAND PATRON OF THE NATIONAL ORDERS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC FOREWORDOF SOUTH AFRICA n April 27 2014, our country celebrates the 20th Anniversary since the first non-racial, non- sexist and democratic elections were held and Oour country moved from an apartheid discriminatory and oppressive state to a free, united and democratic society. Coincidentally South Africa also celebrates the 20th bestowment of the democratic National Orders Awards Ceremony. The National Orders Awards Ceremony are a feature of our democratic state to honour, celebrate and recognise outstanding individuals - men and women, young and old, Black and White - within our society. We honour people who have played an instrumental role in making our country what it is today both locally and from all over the world - from diverse backgrounds and fields. The National Orders Ceremony has become an instrument to foster and nurture unity, nation- building, national reconciliation, social cohesion, patriotism, solidarity and our spirit of internationalism. Through the various National Orders Awards to different inspirational recipients we have always been guided by these noble principles. 7 FOREWORDCONTINUED Our National Orders are structured in different Amongst the recipients I am particularly pleased to note categories so that they can honour all our people from the diversity of the 500 odd esteemed alumni of recipients diverse backgrounds, in areas of their excellence and locally and internationally. We have the Companions of within the spirit of our Constitution, as reflected in the OR Tambo Order that is aimed at honouring a number Preamble when it says that: “We, the people of South of our international friends who stood with us in harsh Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour times of oppression and showed us the generosity of those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; spirit and solidarity. Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all I am not so sure if we would be where we are as a who live in it, united in our diversity”. people without the tremendous amount of assistance that the international community offered us in our dark The National Order Awards are received by eminent times of need. For that we are eternally grateful, I am men and women of our land as well as international acutely aware that we can never fully repay our debt recipients whose selfless acts of sacrifices and pursuit for of gratitude to all. The Companions of OR Tambo is a excellence deserve to be lauded. It is no coincidence that gesture to show that we will not forget what you did we celebrate the National Order Awards Ceremony on for us. the same day that our people for the first time exercised their democratic right to vote 20 years ago. It is therefore I am proud to state that South Africa is known for its without a doubt that this is an august and historic day. musical talent. It has produced legends whose voices couldn’t be drowned even by the evils of apartheid. The It is befitting that it should be recorded so that it goes voice of musicians and artists in our national liberation down in the annals of our history that a democratic struggle was loud and clear, as well as universal, as it South Africa honours its exceptional citizens. What managed to achieve what many political meetings could better way to do that than to put faces to names of not, especially in mobilising international community to esteemed recipients whose contributions to our growing support the struggle against apartheid. They sang through democracy compelled the public to nominate them. This the dark days and creatively shone the light on what was Coffee Table Photo Book is a continuation of honouring happening. Hence we have the Order of Ikhamanga which our recipients as a legacy not only to their families but honours our illuminate artists from music, literary talents the country as a whole. to sport excellence. 8 The order is named after the baobab tree, which was chosen as a symbol because of its endurance and tolerance, its vitality, its importance in agro- FOREWORDforestry systems, and its use as a meeting place in traditional African societies. Your creativity has proven that there is more never fully understand but we remain eternally grateful than one way to fight a war. Indeed the artists for their sacrifices and heroic deeds. remained true to the dictum that “Culture is a weapon struggle”. In South Africa we used our melodies, pens For the many stalwarts of the struggle, some who never and sports to face our difficulties and it worked. As one saw this side of mountain which is the democratic South poet aptly put it during the State of Emergency “So Africa, we have the Order of Luthuli. We cannot honour give me pen and paper, I will write verse in the midst of you enough for refusing to believe that we would be torture”. Even our sports people recognised the fact that subjected to indignities for all eternity. To those who are there could be no normal sport in an abnormal society. still with us, it is all the better to honour you in person. Because of the sacrifices and the role that the artists, For those who have departed, through your families musicians, poets, writers, soccer players, rugby and your legacy lives on. Without your efforts, we would cricket players, athletes, boxers, and many activists in the be doomed. It is often said that evil thrives when good cultural and many sporting codes played, today we are people remain silent. We thank you for shouting to the enjoying the fruits of democracy. Many of you used your mountaintops and staving off evil deeds. talents and skills, as well as the power of the pen, while others sang us through sadness and celebration. For that We also have those who are the salt of the earth in we salute you. our democracy. These individuals concern themselves with the business of selflessly serving their communities Then we have ordinary men and women who in their in their chosen fields. They focus on the basic things that daily walks of life are prompted to perform acts of bring joy into their lives while contributing in immensely extraordinary bravery and courage. The Order of Mendi to the development of their society. for Bravery has honoured many an unsung hero. Some of these individuals lose their lives in the process of Community service has an invaluable contribution saving lives of vulnerable people. Throughout the decade in ensuring that the grassroots of the country remain we have read moving narratives of brave citizens who anchored. The nation honours these deserving recipients put themselves in the line of fire to save others either with the Order of Baobab to symbolise the rootedness drowning or on accidental fires. and the stability that they provide to our young nation. It is a gesture to say that, even though most of you in your Amongst these are also freedom fighters who often humility would rather not let the left hand know what stared death in the face during the apartheid period. the other has done, your acts of kindness have changed These are men and women whose sacrifices we may us for the better. 9 FOREWORDCONTINUED There is not a country in the world that would survive without the rare calibre of individuals who use science to find innovative ways to make life better. South Africa has a number of excellent scientists who are respected the world over for their work. We have those who have managed to come up with ground-breaking research that is squaring up to the scourge of HIV and AIDS. Some are known for new theories in mathematics and sciences. Our hopes are pinned on you for the education of our youth who will see the importance of opting for mathematics and science as subjects that will turn the tide in our economic development. We honour these talented individuals with the Order of Mapungubwe. We hope this book will be something of a treasure to you. It is our small way to send a message of how much your country values you and your work. Keep it as a legacy to you and your family. Again I thank each and every one of you because you are testaments to our African adage that Umuntu, Ngumuntu Ngabantu. I am because you are. We bow to you in honour of your patriotic and selfless acts. 10 FOREWORD 11 12 MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR OF NATIONAL ORDERS AND DIRECTOR MESSAGEGENERAL IN THE PRESIDENCY he 20th Investiture Ceremony of the new post- apartheid national orders coincides with the Tcountry’s celebration of 20 years of freedom.