Orders, decorations, and medals of South Africa
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South African orders, decorations and medals are those military and civilian orders,
decoration Decoration may refer to: * Decorative arts * A house painter and decorator's craft * An act or object intended to increase the beauty of a person, room, etc. * An award that is a token of recognition to the recipient intended for wearing Other ...
s and
medal A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...
s issued by the
Government of South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a parliamentary republic with three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a parliamentary system. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa. Executive authority ...
. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:


Historical orders, decorations and medals


Military


Civilian


Union of South Africa

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, as a self-governing
Dominion The term ''Dominion'' is used to refer to one of several self-governing nations of the British Empire. "Dominion status" was first accorded to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State at the 1926 ...
in the
British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...
. A medal was issued to commemorate the event. As a Dominion, the Union came under the
British honours system In the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories, personal bravery, achievement, or service are rewarded with honours. The honours system consists of three types of award: *Honours are used to recognise merit in terms of achievement a ...
, and South Africans featured in the semi-annual British honours lists. South Africans also received British civilian decorations for bravery. The nationalist government stopped the conferment of titles and orders in 1925, and discontinued nominations for bravery awards after the Union's independence was recognised in 1931. It established its own bravery awards a few years later. The Union's civil honours thus consisted of: * Decoration ** King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery (1939–61) * Commemorative Medal **
Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal The Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal is a military and civil commemorative medal which was awarded to commemorate the opening of the first Union Parliament by the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1910. It may be considered as the fi ...
(1910) * War service medal ** South African Medal for War Services (1945) When South Africa established its own independent honours system in 1952, the Queen's Medal for Bravery was transferred to it. The medal issued to mark Queen
Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
's coronation in 1953 was also ranked as a South African award, because she was Queen of South Africa as well as of the United Kingdom and her other realms and territories.


Republic of South Africa

South Africa became a republic outside the
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
on 31 May 1961.


1967–1986

During the 1960s and 1970s, the government developed a small range of civil honours to recognise bravery and meritorious service: * Decorations and orders ** Woltemade Decoration for Bravery (1970–88) **
Order of the Star of South Africa The Order of the Star of South Africa is a South African National Order that consisted of seven decorations in two military and five non-military classes. The order was discontinued on 2 December 2002. Institution The Order of the Star of South ...
(Civilian Division) (SSA/SSAS) (1978–2002) **
Order of Good Hope The Order of Good Hope or Order of the Cape of Good Hope is a dormant order of merit of the Republic of South Africa. History The Order of Good Hope was founded in 1973, by the republican government of South Africa, to grant those who had disti ...
(1973–2003) **
Decoration for Meritorious Service The Decoration for Meritorious Services was an honour conferred until 1987 by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, usually for political services to the country. The appointments were made by the State President of South Africa. Po ...
(DMS) (1970–86) ** Civil Defence Medal for Bravery (1976–??) ** Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service (1976–??) * Sports awards **
State President's Sports Award State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * '' State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our ...
(1967–94) **
South African Sports Merit Award South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz ...
(1971–94)


1986–2002

The civil honours system was enlarged during the 1980s. In 1986, the five orders were collectively dubbed the "national orders", and a Chancery of Orders was established in the Office of the State President to administer them. These were retained after South Africa's return to the
Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations, simply referred to as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire. The chief institutions of the organisation are the Co ...
in 1994. The expanded honours system comprised: * Decorations and orders **
Woltemade Cross for Bravery Woltemade may refer to: People *Nick Woltemade (born 2002), German footballer *Wolraad Woltemade Wolraad Woltemade (c.1708 – 1 June 1773) was a 65 year old Cape Dutch dairy farmer, who died while rescuing sailors from the wreck of the ...
(WD/WDS) (1988–2002) **
Order of the Southern Cross Emperor Pedro I of Brazil founded the National Order of the Southern Cross ( pt, Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) as a Brazilian order of chivalry on 1 December 1822. The order aimed to commemorate the independence of Brazil (7 September 1822) ...
(OSG/OSS) (1986–2002) **
Order of the Star of South Africa The Order of the Star of South Africa is a South African National Order that consisted of seven decorations in two military and five non-military classes. The order was discontinued on 2 December 2002. Institution The Order of the Star of South ...
(Non-Military) (SSA/SSAS) (1978–2002) **
Order for Meritorious Service The Order for Meritorious Service is a South African National Order that consisted of two classes, in gold and silver, and was awarded to deserving South African citizens. The order was discontinued on 2 December 2002.Order of Good Hope The Order of Good Hope or Order of the Cape of Good Hope is a dormant order of merit of the Republic of South Africa. History The Order of Good Hope was founded in 1973, by the republican government of South Africa, to grant those who had disti ...
(1973–2003) ** Civil Protection Medal for Bravery (1976–??) ** President's Decoration for Distinguished Service (1987–??) ** Civil Protection Medal for Meritorious Service (1976–??) * Sports awards **
State President's Sports Award State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * '' State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our ...
(1967–94) **
South African Sports Merit Award South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz ...
(1971–94)


Union of South Africa King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery

The
Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery The Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Gold was the highest South African civilian decoration during the period between 1910 and 1961, when the country was a constitutional monarchy in the British Commonwealth. The medal was institu ...
was instituted in 1939 to award South African citizens for exceptional gallantry in saving life. The decoration had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The medal lapsed on 31 May 1961, when South Africa became a republic, albeit, outside the Commonwealth.


Woltemade Decoration for Bravery

The Woltemade Decoration for Bravery was a revived, republican version of the King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery. It was instituted in 1970 and was awarded until 1988, when it was replaced by the
Woltemade Cross for Bravery Woltemade may refer to: People *Nick Woltemade (born 2002), German footballer *Wolraad Woltemade Wolraad Woltemade (c.1708 – 1 June 1773) was a 65 year old Cape Dutch dairy farmer, who died while rescuing sailors from the wreck of the ...
.


Woltemade Cross for Bravery

The Woltemade Cross for Bravery (post-nominal letters: WD) was instituted in 1988, replacing the Woltemade Decoration, to award South African citizens for outstanding bravery in saving life. The cross had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The Woltemade Cross was discontinued in 2002.


Current orders, decorations and medals


Military


Nkwe (Leopard) decorations for bravery

The three Nkwe (
Leopard The leopard (''Panthera pardus'') is one of the five extant species in the genus '' Panthera'', a member of the cat family, Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, a ...
) Decorations for Bravery are awarded for bravery in military operations in place of the ''Honoris Crux Decorations'' in 2003. The three Leopard Decorations are: * ''
Nkwe ya Gauta The Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard, post-nominal letters NG, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 2003, to replace the Honoris Crux Gold (HCG). It is South Africa's highest military decoration for bravery.Presidential Wa ...
'' (Golden Leopard) (post-nominal: NG), for exceptional bravery during military operations. * '' Nkwe ya Selefera'' (Silver Leopard) (post-nominal: NS), for conspicuous bravery during military operations. * '' Nkwe ya Boronse'' (Bronze Leopard) (post-nominal: NB), for bravery during military operations.


Protea Decoration for Merit

The three
Protea ''Protea'' () is a genus of South African flowering plants, also called sugarbushes (Afrikaans: ''suikerbos''). Etymology The genus ''Protea'' was named in 1735 by Carl Linnaeus, possibly after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form a ...
Decorations for Merit are for leadership, meritorious conduct or devotion to duty in place of the previous Southern Cross Decoration, Southern Cross Medal and Military Merit Medal. The three Protea Decorations are: * ''
iPhrothiya yeGolide The iPhrothiya yeGolide - Golden Protea, post-nominal letters PG, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks who have distinguished the ...
'' (post-nominal: PG), to officers for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty. * ''
iPhrothiya yeSiliva The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea, post-nominal letters PS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks who have distinguished th ...
'' (post-nominal: PS), to officers for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. * '' iPhrothiya yeBhronzi'' (post-nominal: PB), to all ranks of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing services of the highest order.


Civilian

The "old" South African honours were retained for a few years after the Republic was reconstituted as a multi-racial democratic state in 1994. The sports awards were, however, replaced immediately. A new series of national orders was introduced in 2002, as part of the process of creating new national symbols. The current civil honours are: * Sports awards **
Presidential Sports Award President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese fu ...
(1994– ) * Provincial orders **
Western Cape Golden Cross The Western Cape Golden Cross is the highest honour awarded by the government of Western Cape. 2007 * Nkosi Albert John Luthuli (posthumously) * Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (posthumously) * Stephen Bantu Biko (posthumously) 2003 * Natalie du Toit ...
**
Order of the Disa The Order of the Disa is a provincial-level order issued by the Department of the Premier of Western Cape Province. It was created by the Provincial Honours Act 9 of 1999, and is enshrined in Section 6 (1) of the Western Cape Provincial Constitution ...


Order of the Baobab

The
Order of the Baobab The Order of the Baobab is a South African civilian national honour, awarded to those for service in business and the economy; science, medicine, and for technological innovation; and community service. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and i ...
(SCOB/GCOB/COB) was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for services to democracy, human rights, arts and sciences and community service. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.


Order of Ikhamanga

The
Order of Ikhamanga The Order of Ikhamanga is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003 and is granted by the President of South Africa for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports (which were initially recognised b ...
(OIG/OIS/OIB) was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.


Order of Luthuli

The
Order of Luthuli The Order of Luthuli is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is granted by the President (government title), president of South Africa, for contributions to South Africa in the following fields: (i) the struggle for ...
was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice, peace and conflict resolution. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.


Order of Mapungubwe

The
Order of Mapungubwe The Order of Mapungubwe is South Africa's highest honour. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is granted by the President of South Africa, for achievements in the international arena which have served South Africa's interests. The order orig ...
(OMP/OMG/OMS/OMB) was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. The order has four grades: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.


Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo

The
Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo The Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo is a South African honour. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is granted by the President of South Africa to foreign citizens who have promoted South African interests and aspirations through c ...
(SCOT/GCOT/COT) was instituted in 2002 to award
heads of state A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 "he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and le ...
and senior diplomats of other countries for showing friendship towards South Africa. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.


The Order of Mendi for Bravery

The
Order of Mendi for Bravery The Order of Mendi for Bravery is a South African honour, instituted on 30 November 2003. It was originally called the "Mendi Decoration for Bravery", and was renamed as an order on 22 October 2004. Although this is primarily a civilian honour, t ...
(OMBG/OMBS/OMBB) (originally the Mendi Decoration for Bravery) is awarded to South African citizens who have performed an extraordinary act of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa. The order has three grades (post-nominal letters in brackets): Gold (OMBG), Silver (OMBS) and Bronze (OMBB). The ribbon is gold coloured and has cream-coloured lion footprints upon it.


See also

*
British and Commonwealth orders and decorations This article concerns the orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms awarded by the sovereign in right of each nation. Awards are listed by order of wear. Antigua and Barbuda * Order of the National Hero * Order of the Nation * Order of Me ...
*
Evolution of the South African honours system The South African honours system consists of orders, decorations, and medals which are conferred on citizens, and others, to recognise a range of services and achievements. The system has developed since 1894. Historical development The British ...
*
Military history of South Africa The military history of South Africa chronicles a vast time period and complex events from the dawn of history until the present time. It covers civil wars and wars of aggression and of self-defence both within South Africa and against it. It in ...
*
South African civil honours South African orders, decorations and medals are those military and civilian Order (decoration), orders, award, decorations and medals issued by the Government of South Africa. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these: Historical orders, ...
*
South African intelligence service decorations An overview of South African intelligence service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system. National Intelligence Service The National Intelligence Service was established in 1963 as Republican Intelligence, a ...
*
South African military decorations An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system. Colonial forces 1894–1913 The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial ...
*
South African orders and decorations The South African honours system consists of orders, decorations, and medals which are conferred on citizens, and others, to recognise a range of services and achievements. The system has developed since 1894. Historical development The British ...
*
South African police decorations An overview of South African police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system. South African Police The South African Police was established in 1913 as a national police force. It had a secondary military rol ...
*
South African prisons decorations An overview of South African prisons service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system. Prisons Department 1922-1968 The Prisons Department was established in 1911. It was a civil service department, with un ...


References

*Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau. *Monick, S. (1990). ''South African Civil Awards 1910–1990''. South African National Museum of Military History.


External links


South African government website

South African Medals Website




{{Decorations by country South Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations