26 September 2006
President Thabo Mbeki, as the Patron of the National Orders, will tomorrow,
27 September 2006, bestow National Orders on outstanding South African citizens
at a prestigious event to be held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
The event will honour and recognise South Africans who have accomplished
excellence and exceptional achievement to the benefit of the country and
through their acts gave expression to government's commitment to improve the
lives of South Africans in this "Age of Hope".
This will be the eighth ceremony, whereby 28 recipients will be conferred
the country's highest awards.
The orders to be awarded on the day are the following:
* Order of Mapungubwe: awarded to South African citizens for achievements
that have impacted internationally and served the interest of the Republic of
South Africa.
* Order Ikhamanga: awarded to citizens who have excelled in the fields of
arts and culture, literature, journalism and sport.
* Mendi Decoration for Bravery: awarded to South Africans who have performed
acts of bravery, who in the process, would have lost their lives or may have
placed their lives in great danger in their efforts to save others.
The event will be attended by Chancellor of the National Orders, Rev Frank
Chikane, members of the Advisory Council on National Orders, recipients and
family members, as well as several Cabinet Ministers.
List of recipients for National Orders ceremony:
Please find herewith the names of recipients for tomorrow's National Orders
ceremony to be held from 10h00 � 12h00, Wednesday, 27 September.
The order of Mendi for bravery in bronze:
Elizabeth Gumede: awarded for bravely contributing to the struggle against
apartheid.
Marcel Christian van Rossum: awarded for displaying an act of bravery and
courage by putting his life at risk to save the lives of drowning children.
The order of Mendi in silver:
Adolphus Mvemve (posthumous): awarded for displaying acts of bravery during
the struggle against apartheid.
George Phela (posthumous): awarded for displaying acts of bravery and valour
by sacrificing his own life to save the lives of a drowning mother and her
child.
The order of Mendi for bravery in gold:
Benson Tsele (posthumous): awarded for his bravery in engaging the Rhodesian
army in military battle for the course of freedom.
Bhambatha Ka Mancinza Zondi (posthumous): awarded for his bravery in leading
a rebellion against the repressive laws of the colonialist government and for
laying down his life for the cause of justice.
The order of Ikhamanga in bronze:
Christian Ashley-Botha: awarded for outstanding contribution in the field of
choral music in South Africa.
Matlhaela Michael Masote: awarded for outstanding contribution to the
development of youth orchestras and choral music in the classical genre in
South Africa.
Oscar Pistorius: awarded for inspiring achievements in the field of
athletics and contributing to the well-being of disabled people in Africa.
Sibusiso Vilane: awarded for inspiring and excellent achievement in the
field of mountaineering.
Herbert Woodhouse: awarded for outstanding achievement in and contributing
to the field of rock art.
The order of Ikhamanga in silver:
Willie Bester: awarded for excellent contribution to the art of mixed media
paintings, canvas assemblages and metal sculptures.
Andr� Brink: awarded for excellent contribution to literature and fighting
for a just and democratic society.
Yvonne Bryceland (posthumous): awarded for excellent achievement in the
field of dramatic art.
Thandi Klaasen: awarded for excellent achievement in and contribution to the
art of music.
Abigail Kubeka: awarded for excellent achievement in and contribution to the
art of music.
Esther Mahlangu: awarded for excellent contribution to the development of
the indigenous Ndebele arts.
Dorothy Masuka: awarded for excellent achievement in and contribution to
music composition and performance.
Donato Francisco Mattera: awarded for excellent contribution to literature,
achievement in the field of journalism and striving for democracy and justice
in South Africa.
Ryk Neethling: awarded for excellent achievements in the field of
swimming.
Roland Schoeman: awarded for excellent achievement in the field of
swimming.
George Singh (posthumous): awarded for excellent contribution to soccer and
to non-racism, non-sexism and justice in sport and society.
Canodoise Daniel Themba (posthumous)): awarded for excellent achievement in
literature, contributing to the field of journalism and striving for a just and
democratic in South Africa.
The order of Ikhamanga in gold:
Alan Stewart Paton (posthumous): awarded for exceptional contribution to
literature, exposing the apartheid oppression through his work and fighting for
a just and democratic society.
Tiyo Soga (posthumous): awarded for exceptional contribution to literature
and the struggle for social change.
The order of Mapungubwe in silver:
Selig Percy Amoils: awarded for excellence in the field of ophthalmology and
for inspiring his colleagues in the field of science.
Patricia Berjak: awarded for excellent achievements in and contributing to
the understanding of seed science.
Lionel Opie: awarded for excellent contribution to the knowledge of and
achievement in the field of cardiology.
NB: Members of the media are requested to submit their names and identity
document (ID) numbers for accreditation purposes, by 14h00 today. Participating
journalists are advised to arrive at 08h00 for accreditation purposes. Please
bring along press cards and use Government Avenue Entrance.
Enquiries:
Malerato Sekha
Tel: (012) 300 5447
Cell: 082 467 8579
Matome Sebelebele
Tel: (012) 314 23121
Cell: 072 710 1814
Issued by: The Presidency and Department of Arts and Culture
26 September 2006
