President Ramaphosa bestows National Orders

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid homage to the South African citizens and others who received their National Orders today – calling them an invaluable part of South Africa’s history.

The 32 recipients, some posthumously, were honoured and bestowed during a ceremony held at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane on Tuesday.

READ | National Orders: Heroes and heroines receive SA’s highest honour

The prestigious National Orders – the highest awards in South Africa – 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.

“This year marks 30 years since we attained our freedom. This would not have been possible without the bravery, fortitude and noble acts of those the preamble of our Constitution recognises as having suffered for justice and freedom in our land.

“The men and women we honour here today have played an invaluable role in giving birth to the free South Africa that we all enjoy today. Our nation owes each of them a great debt.

“By bestowing these National Orders, we want to ensure that their contributions are recognised and spoken of by generations to come,” President Ramaphosa said.

The awards

The Order of Mendi for Bravery recipients were anti-apartheid activists who received the honour posthumously.

“They lived at a time when apartheid repression was at its zenith, and they displayed the utmost courage. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten and their memories live on,” said President Ramaphosa.

This year, the recipients of The Order of Luthuli was awarded to South Africans who contributed to “the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace”.

“Several of the recipients of this year’s Order of Luthuli were brutally killed by the apartheid regime. One of them is Ms Nokuthula Simelane, who was abducted and tortured by the apartheid Security Branch. Her remains were never found.

“This is a wound that will never heal for her family, like the scars of many other South Africans whose loved ones disappeared during the repressive years of apartheid. By honouring those fallen heroes with National Orders we are saying that no matter how great the passage of time, they have not been forgotten,” President Ramaphosa said.

South Africans who excelled in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport were honoured with The Order of Ikhamanga.

“In this, the 30th year since we achieved our freedom, we also celebrate the democratic gains we have made in enshrining the principle of a free and independent media.

“Among those being honoured today are legendary journalists who were the voice, words and conscience of an oppressed people during the darkest periods in our history. The standard they set for media ethics and freedom are embodied in today’s generation of journalists and media workers,” the President said.

On the recipients of The Order of the Baobab, President Ramaphosa said: “As we strive to bring about social and economic transformation in South Africa, we are keenly aware of the importance of every endeavour, be it in business, in science or in innovation, being put in the service of social justice for all”.

He praised the recipient of The Order of Mapungubwe who “undertook valuable research in the aerospace field and set a standard that today’s generation of researchers will strive to emulate for time to come”.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo recognises those who are not from South Africa who stood in solidarity and cooperation with South Africa’s struggle for liberation.

“We honour journalists who helped amplify the voice of the liberation movement abroad, campaigners and fundraisers for the anti-apartheid movement, and activists who played an important role in the sports boycott against the regime,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President hailed the heroism and personal endeavours of this year’s recipients.

“The recipients of the National Orders are chosen by the South African people themselves. It is the South African people who makes nominations for consideration. This is most appropriate because the recipients are the heroes and heroines of the entire nation.

“The truest test of heroism is that these acts are not done for the sake of name, prestige, fortune or fame. They are done out of conscience and an unwavering sense of responsibility. They are born of a burning quest for social justice. They are anchored in the belief that the achievement of equality and human dignity for all is the highest aspiration of humankind.

“Congratulations to all who are being honoured today and to their families. The recipients shall henceforth be honoured as esteemed Members of the Orders. The people of South Africa salute them all,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za