Pretoria – Thirty eight South Africans and foreign nationals, who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy, will on Freedom Day be awarded National Orders by President Jacob Zuma.
National Orders are the highest awards, which recognise the contribution made by individuals who contributed and continue to contribute to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in the Constitution.
This year’s ceremony on Freedom Day will be held under the theme ‘Mobilising society towards consolidating our democracy and freedom’.
“This is the 19th Investiture ceremony since the inception of the National Orders contributing towards unity, reconciliation and building the nation,” said Chancellor of the National Orders, Cassius Lubisi, who announced the names of the recipients on Monday.
Thirty three South Africans, including struggle heroes and five foreign nationals will be awarded the highest orders.
During the day, President Zuma will bestow to deserving recipients 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.
The Order of Mendi for Bravery recognises South Africans citizens, who have performed acts of bravery and the Order of Ikhamang recognises South African citizens, who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
The order of the Baobab recognises South African citizens, who have contributed to community service, business and economy, science, medicine and technological innovation.
The Order of Luthuli recognises South African citizens, who have contributed to the struggle for democracy, nation building, building democracy and human rights, justice and peace, as well as for the resolution of conflict.
The recipients for the Order of Mendi are Alfred Duma, Riot Makhomanisi Mkhwanazi and Cletus Mzimela.
Chad Le Clos will be among the recipients for the Order of Ikhamanga for his excellent achievements on the international swimming stage, especially at the London Olympics in 2012, thus placing South Africa in high standing globally in the field of Aquatic sports.
Other recipients for the Order of Ikhamanga are Ilse Hayes, Vusi Mahlasela, Zolani Mkva, Kaizer Motaung and Pretty Yende.
The recipients for the Order of Baobab are Suraya ‘Bibi’ Khan, Nontsikelelo Qelane, Yusuf Abramjee, David Jacobus Bosch (Posthumous), Colin Wells Eglin, Herbert William Garnet De La hunt and Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia.
The order of Luthuli will be bestowed to Nomazizi Mtsotshisa (Posthumous), Neville Edward Alexander (Posthumous), Amina Desai (Posthumous), Michael Alan Harmel (Posthumous), Essop Essak Jassat, Arthur Letele (Posthumous), Mosibudi Mangena, Moosa Mooila, Richard Mothupi, David Fani Mncube, Elias Phakane Moretsele (Posthumous) and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Recipients for the Order of Mapungubwe are Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Dr Bennie Fanaroff, Professor George Ekama, Dr Glenda Gray and Professor Malegapuru William Makgopa.
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo will be bestowed to Dina Forti, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Enuga Screenivasulu Reddy, Giuseppe Soncini (Posthumous) and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (Posthumous).
Dr Lubisi congratulated the recipients and called on all South Africans to join them in celebrating the outstanding South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
