Rassie Erasmus (Photo: Michael Bradley/AFP)
Rassie Erasmus, Wouter Kellerman and Dalene Matthee are just some of the prominent South Africans who will be honored with national orders in the coming week.
Phindile Baleni, director-general in the presidency and chancellor of the national orders, announced this week the names of the “outstanding South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa” who will receive national orders next Tuesday.
Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa will honor them during an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.
Other names include the late jazz pianist, composer and journalist Todd Matshikiza, Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, professor of bioinformatics and prof. Salim Abdool Karim, clinical epidemiologist for infectious diseases.
The national orders are the highest award the country can bestow on outstanding South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa who have contributed to the promotion of democracy and made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.
The national orders also recognize the contributions of individuals who contributed and continue to contribute to the building of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as contained in the Constitution.
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa will award the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Kremetart, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo to deserving recipients.
Rassie Eramus will be honored with the Order of Ikhamanga in gold on Tuesday “for his inspirational leadership in national and international rugby that drove the Springboks to repeated Rugby World Cup championships.”
Rassie Erasmus. (Foto: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP)
Baleni says the Springboks’ victories on the rugby field have promoted social cohesion among South Africans and increased the nation’s esteem in the international community.
Kellerman will be honored with the same order for his outstanding personal achievements as a flutist and composer as well as his contribution to community development by using music as a means to motivate young people to thrive through musical expression.
“He showed the power of music as a universal language that can unite South Africans and bring people across geographical and cultural boundaries in appreciation for heartfelt art,” Baleni explained this week.
Dalene Matthee will be posthumously honored with this order in bronze for her outstanding contribution to South African literature and cultural heritage more broadly, taking South African stories to global audiences.
“Her art of telling stories preserves our cultural heritage. While she recognized the importance of using accessible language, she also encouraged the use of mother tongue for full expression and nuance in her storytelling. Her work has stood the test of time and remains popular and relevant,” says Baleni in the run-up to Tuesday.
Dalene Matthee (Photo: www.dalenematthee.co.za)
Order of Ikhamanga
The Order of Ikhamanga recognizes South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of art, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
Gold
- Race Erasmus
- Wouter Kellerman
- Todd Matshikiza (posthumous)
- Khabi Vivian Mngoma (posthumous)
- Kippie Moeketsi (posthumous)
- Queeneth Maria Ndaba – The Best of Queeneth Maria Ndaba
- Molefe Pheto (posts)
Silver
- Jonathan Kenneth Butler
- Jonny Mbizo Dyani (posthumous)
- Andiswa Precious Gebashe (posthumous)
- Norman Hlabane
- Trevor Jones
- Oliver Kgadime Matsepe (postuum)
- Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa
- Deuteronomy Bhekinkosi Zeblon Ntuli
- Benjamin John Peter Tyamzashe (posthumous)
Bronze
- Gavin James Krastin
- Dalene Matthee (posthumous)
- Samuel Mhangwani
The Order of the Kremetart
The Order of the Kremetart recognizes South African citizens who have contributed to community service, business and the economy, science, medicine and technological innovation.
Gold
- Chabani Noel Manganyi – Posturing
Silver
Bronze
The Order of Luthuli
The Order of Luthuli recognizes commitment to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
Gold
- Jack Simons (posthumous)
- Ray Alexander Simons (posthumous)
Silver
- Mmagauta Molefe
- Caiphus Nyoka (posts)
Bronze
The Order of Mapungubwe
The Order of Mapungubwe recognizes South Africans who have achieved excellence and extraordinary achievements for the benefit of South Africa and beyond.
Gold
- Tulio de Oliveira
- Salim Abdul Karim
Silver
- Kirtan Dheda
- Wake up Marivate
Bronze
- Priscilla Baker
- Karen Sliwa-Hahnle
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo recognizes distinguished foreign citizens and other foreign dignitaries for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an order of peace, cooperation and active expression of solidarity and support.
Silver
- Teresa Hillary Clarke (USA)
- Pierre Magnee (Netherlands)
- Antonio da Silva Gomes Cordeiro (Mosambiek) (postum)
- Cherif Keita (Mali)
- Naomi Kleinfeld (Netherlands)
“We congratulate the recipients and appeal to all South Africans to join us in celebrating these awards of outstanding South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa,” Baleni said this week.