Order of Mendi for Bravery: Category I Gold
- Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela "Hugo Nkabinde" (Posthumous): For his contribution to the ideals of freedom through putting his medical profession to the service of exiled freedom fighters
- Nomava Shangase (Posthumous): For her contribution to the attainment of freedom in South Africa through putting her medical profession to the service of exiled South African freedom fighters
Order of Ikhamanga: Category II Silver
- Peter Henry Abrahams: For excellent contribution to the development of South African literature
- Ronald Govender: For excellent contribution to democracy and justice in South Africa through the genre of theatre
- Bryan Gary Habana: For excellent performance and contributing to the improvement of the game of rugby in South Africa
- Alfred Hutchinson (Posthumous): For his excellent contribution to the struggle against racism in South Africa and contributing to the development of South African literature
- Barbara Eleanor Harcourt Jurgens: For excellent contribution to the art and preservation of South African indigenous traditions through the medium of drawing
- Keorapetse William Kgositsile: For excellent achievements in the field of literature and using these exceptional talents to expose the evils of the system of apartheid to the world
- Sibongile Khumalo: For excellent contribution to the development of South African art and culture in the musical fields of jazz and opera
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo: For putting South African cultural life on the world map through contributing to the field of South African indigenous music
- Zakes Zulu Mokae: For excellent contribution to South African theatre and achievement in the field of acting
- Percival Colin Montgomery: For excellent achievement in the game of rugby
- Lionel Morrison: For excellent achievement in journalism and contributing to the ideals of a just and democratic South Africa
- Thangana Krila Gobingca George Kamxadana: For excellent achievement in the field of music and contributing to the development of choral music in South Africa
- Lauretta Ngcobo: For excellent achievement in the field of literature and through her literary work championing the cause of gender equality in South Africa
- Lewis Nkosi: For excellent personal achievement and versatility in literature and contributing to indigenous literary works
- Makhaya Ntini: For excellent achievement in cricket and serving as an inspiration to up and coming black South African cricketers
- Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe (Posthumous): For his excellent achievement in the game of football locally and abroad and contributing to the development of the game in South Africa
- Shaun Maclean Pollock: For excellent contribution to cricket in South Africa and being an inspiration to the South African Cricket Team
- Stanley Hlekani Sono: For excellent achievement in football and boxing and contributing to the development of boxing administration and refereeing in South Africa
- Miriam Tlali: For excellent intellectual achievements and contribution to the development of literature in South Africa.
Order of Ikhamanga: Category I Gold
- Richard Victor Selope Thema (Posthumous): For his exceptional contribution to the advancement of African people through the field of journalism and fighting for the attainment of a free, just and democratic South Africa.
Order of Mapungubwe: Category III Silver
- Douglas Butterworth: For excellent contribution to the betterment of the environment and sustainability of fisheries
- Wieland Gevers: For excellent contribution to the field of Higher Education (HE) and medicine
- Phuthi Ngoepe: For excellent achievements in the field of natural sciences and contributing to the development of computer modelling studies at the University of Limpopo
- Timothy David Noakes: For excellent contribution to the field of sport and the science of physical exercise
- Pragase Pillay: For excellent achievement in and contribution to the field of energy conservation
Order of Mapungubwe: Category II Gold
- Doris Lessing: For exceptional achievement in literature, and contributing to the elimination of colonialism and apartheid.
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo: Category II Silver
- Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon (Posthumous): For excellent contribution to the fight against colonialism and the apartheid system in South Africa
