Health • Rural Development • Employment • Safety & Security • Education JOBSJOBS Vuk’uzenzele INSIDE:INSIDE: Produced by Government Communications (GCIS) | May 2019 Edition 1 Mother receives National Order for brave son Thapelo Tambani’s mother Sarah Tambani received his award from President Cyril Ramaphosa, in recognition Inspiring of the little boy’s selfless the car act of saving another life, which led to his unfortunate designers of demise. tomorrow Thapelo drowned last year in a muddy construction pit after successfully pulling a Page 6 friend to safety. The tragedy took place in Soshanguve, north of Pre- toria. According to media reports at the time, Thape- lo’s friend had fallen into the large pit, which was filled with muddy rain water, at an excavation site. Thapelo managed to save his friend but was overcome by the mud. Thapelo's mother said his heroic act, although painful, was part of his character – he Sarah Tambani and her grandchild, eight-year-old Tshiamo, looking at a picture of her late son was a helpful boy, she said. Thapelo who received the National Order of Mendi for Bravery. She said her son was very clever and had received Teen farmer three certificates of excel- THAPELO TAMBANI braved a waterlogged and lence at school. makes dad muddy trench to rescue a friend. Speaking ahead of the cer- proud emony, the mother said that Silusapho Nyanda posthumously received a the highest awards that her son’s hearing impair- National Order, the Or- South Africa bestows and ment did not hold him back. 10-year-old deaf der of Mendi for Bravery are presented annually by “Even though he could not boy who died sav- in Silver. the President of South Af- Cont. page 2 Page 9 A ing another child The National Orders are rica. ALSO AVAILABLE ON: Websites: www.gcis.gov.za FREE COPY www.vukuzenzele.gov.za E-mail: [email protected] @VukuzenzeleNews Vuk'uzenzele Tel: (+27) 12 473 0353 Did you know? THE 2019 ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON 8 MAY 2019 2 May Edition 1 GENERAL Vuk’uzenzele 2019 National Orders part From page 1 hear or speak, he managed of SA’s first silver jubilee to communicate with us. He was also teaching his siblings how to use sign More Matshediso language,” she said. The grieving mother his year’s Nation- said even though the Na- al Orders ceremony tional Order would not Tforms part of cele- completely heal the pain brating South Africa’s 25 of losing her son, it would years of democracy and bring some comfort. “It freedom. still hurts. The pain of Director-General in The Pres- losing my son is still there idency, Dr Cassius Lubisi,told but I have hope that this Vuk’uzenzele that the country will help,” Tambani told Mendi Decoration for Bravery Order of the Companions of OR Tambo continues to recognise people Vuk’uzenzele. for the various roles they have Director-General in The Recalling the events of Presidency, Dr Cassius Lubisi. played in changing the nation that fateful day in Febru- and the world for the better. and those who advocate for ary 2018, she said her son National Orders are the peace and fight for social had arrived back from highest form of recognition justice across the world,” he school and changed be- that South Africa bestows said. fore going to play with his on deserving citizens and friends. The mother said foreign nationals. National Order she was at work when she The President of South Afri- recipients got the call informing her ca, as the Grand Patron of the Two-time President of Mad- of the dreadful news. National Orders, presents agascar Didier Ratsiraka was “He drowned just after Order of Ikhamanga The Order of the Baobab the awards each year. presented with the Order of four and his body was “This year is our silver ju- the Companions of OR Tam- only recovered around bilee. It is a big celebration, bo in Gold by President Cyril nine in the evening,” she and the National Orders Ramaphosa at the National said. The mother said this year reflect what we Orders investiture ceremony Thapelo’s 14-year-old have achieved in the past 25 at the Union Buildings on 25 brother, who was play- years,” he explained. April. ing nearby, had tried to “The National Orders will Ratsiraka was instrumen- rescue him but could not continue to be bestowed on tal in helping the liberation locate him in the muddy anyone who is deserving, movement in its fight against water. The Order of Luthuli Order of Mapungubwe on those who do outstand- apartheid. Tambani said she still ing work for the country “He offered the liberation thinks of Thapelo and movement a national and in- his role in the home. “You South Africa’s economy, science, medicine and journalism and sport. ternational platform through miss a person’s actions six National technological innovation. his country’s national televi- when they are gone. I still Orders THE ORDER OF MENDI FOR sion and radio stations,” said think of how he would Dr Lubisi. make food around the THE ORDER OF LUTHULI BRAVERY Thirty awards were be- house and help his sib- THE ORDER OF MAPUNGUBWE The Order is awarded to South The Order is awarded to South stowed on the day. Some of lings with chores,” she The Order is awarded to South African citizens in recognition of African citizens who have the recipients included veter- said, adding that he was African citizens who have outstanding contribution in the distinguished themselves by an actress Nomhle Nkonyeni her last born child. accomplished excellence and struggle for democracy; nation- displaying extraordinary acts and journalist Mathatha Although she is not exceptional achievements to building; building democracy of bravery through which their Tsedu along with retired sure who nominated her the benefit of South Africa and and human rights; justice lives were placed in great dancer Johaar Mosaval, all son for the award, she is beyond. and peace as well as for the danger or who have lost their of whom received the Order thankful to them. of Ikhamanga in Silver. “I was not even aware resolution of conflict. lives. Braam Jordaan, Constance someone had done this," THE ORDER OF THE BAOBAB Mirriam Thokozile Koza the mother said. The Order is awarded to South THE ORDER OF IKHAMANGA THE ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS (Posthumous), Bongani The National Orders African citizens who have made The Order is awarded to South OF OR TAMBO Donald Mkhwanazi (Posthu- were conferred by Pres- exceptional and distinguished African citizens who have The Order is awarded to eminent mous), Ray and Dora Phillips ident Ramaphosa at the contributions in community excelled in the field of arts, foreign nationals for friendship (Posthumous) and William Union Buildings on 25 v service, business and the culture, literature, music, shown to South Africa. Smith received the Order of April. the Baobab in silver. v Head of Editorial and Production News Editor Language Practitioners Tasneem Carrim | [email protected] Noluthando Motswai Nomgcibelo Motha Boitumelo Phalatse Editor-in-Chief Writers Phakamani Dadlana Elias Tibane | [email protected] More Matshediso, Jauhara Khan Vuk’uzenzele All rights reserved. Reproduction of the newspaper in Silusapho Nyanda whole or in part without written permission is strictly Tel: 012 473 0089 is published by Government prohibited. Managing Editor Communications (GCIS) Email: [email protected] Ongezwa Mogotsi Senior Designer Address: Private Bag X745, Pretoria, 0001 Printed by: Distributed by: [email protected] Tendai Gonese Vuk’uzenzele FROM THE UNION BUILDINGS May Edition 1 3 Make your vote count n Wednesday, 8 May to choose how they want the 2019, we will all be country to be governed. Oheading to the polls According to the Independent to cast our votes during the Electoral Commission, South sixth National and Provincial Africa has one of the youngest Elections in a free and dem- populations in the world. The ocratic South Africa. It is an voting population’s largest exciting time in our country age group is between 20 and as we also commemorate 25 29 years – an estimated 10.8 years of our hard-won free- million people. dom and democracy. Many of the young As a nation, we have since people in South 1994 made great strides and Africa have much progress in improving great ideas on the lives of South Af- how to take this ricans, especially country forward those who were and improve the historically dis- lives of all South advantaged. Africans. Some To ensure that of them are we maintain already doing and speed up good things in the pace of their commu- change in nities and are our coun- contributing try, I urge immensely to all fellow growing the South Afri- economy. cans to go By casting out in their their to secure the right to vote. right to vote must never be make your mark on election numbers votes Throughout history, young day. Elections that are regular, to vote for in large people have been hailed for free, fair and vibrant are part the politi- numbers, their bravery and power to “South of our identity as a new nation. cal party young people change social injustices. Our elections are about creat- of their will be This was evident in the youth Africa’s future ing an inclusive South Africa on choice. hon- of 1976 who took a stand is in the hands the basis of equal participation. South ouring against inferior education and I urge all South Africans who Africa’s those apartheid laws. Most recent- of young are registered to vote to make future is in who ly, young people took to the people.” their mark in the upcoming the hands paid streets to demand change in elections, as the future of our with the country’s education policy country is in your hands.