of the National Orders
21 September 2007
In the name of the people, I welcome you to the Union Buildings, the seat of
government.
This ceremony is convened to admit into the ranks of the Order of Mendi, the
Order of Ikhamanga and the Order of Mapungubwe, men and women who deserve high
tribute for what they have done to enrich our lives and to make it possible for
our diverse nation to proclaim itself an adherent of the ancient values of
Ubuntu.
This is the tenth time that our free people have had occasion to salute in
humble gratitude such distinguished men and women who are, indeed, the stars on
our firmament.
Today, they are admitted into the ranks of those who belong to the esteemed
National Orders of our Republic. Because of their efforts, we are able to live
and develop in a world of freedom, without the fetters of oppression or
exclusion.
The honours that we bestow today tell the story of what and who we are and
who we shall be. These National Orders represent the nobility of human
endeavour, constituting a hall of fame that will today be enriched by new and
distinguished members.
We have convened today at the seat of government, the Union Buildings, to
award the Order of Mendi for Bravery to our brave hearts, those who gave or
risked their lives so that others may live. These South Africans, for whom
human life is priceless, have reaffirmed the principle borne of struggle, of
the right to life.
They have confronted clear and present danger of one kind or another, with
full knowledge of the potential harm to themselves, to save human life and
limb. They vanquished the natural instinct of self-preservation with the same
courage and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good that was demonstrated
by the heroes of the SS Mendi.
By their deeds, they re-affirmed our philosophy of Ubuntu, we are because of
you!
We have convened today at the seat of government, the Union Buildings, to
admit into the Order of Ikhamanga, our leading cultural workers and sportsmen
and women. All of them have contributed to the pride we as a nation feel in our
achievements that celebrate our inner African and human soul.
Their accomplishments are representative of the wealth of human imagination
and talent brought forth from our continent, which has, since time immemorial,
endowed the planet earth with the things of beauty that are products of human
creativity.
We have convened today at the seat of government, the Union Buildings, to
admit some exceptional persons to the Order of Mapungubwe. These are people
whose activities cannot but be described as excellent.
They are the men and women who dared to act outside the boundaries of the
ordinary, taking upon themselves the skill and daring of the majestic bird on
our Coat of Arms which stands on permanent guard to protect the nation.
Her wings commune with the beams of the rising sun, as the people of
Mapungubwe conversed with nature, the peoples of the universe, and the world of
creative thought.
These distinguished South Africans we honour today are fit and proper
persons to receive these awards because they occupy an important place among
us.
They are our symbols of human creative talent, the guardians of ubuntu who
manifest the national gift of courage that rises with danger, our touchstones
for our collective accomplishments as a nation, and stalwarts of human
solidarity.
They stand as beacons that must guide us forever as we build a society
founded on the high ideals of freedom, justice, equality and human
solidarity.
For all time, these men and women will be admitted as esteemed members of
these Orders, subject to the precedence and authority of our National Anthem,
our National Flag, and our National Coat of Arms, which represent the highest
repositories of our common nationhood.
We are especially blessed that this ceremony permits us to share a brief
encounter with the honoured Members of the National Orders, who live. We are
especially privileged that this ceremony brings us into communion with the
noble souls of the honoured members of the National Orders, who have departed
from the world of the living.
To them all, the living and the dead, on this day, the nation says â
bayethe!
On this day, let all citizens and patriots proclaim:
Glory to the Honoured Members of the National Orders!
God Bless Africa!
Save her children!
Grant her peace!
Enquiries:
Mukoni Rashitanga
082 300 3447
Issued by: Government Communication Information System on behalf of
Presidency
21 September 2007
