Orders, decorations and medals of South Africa

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South African orders, decorations and medals are those military and civilian orders, decorations and medals issued by the Government of South Africa. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:

Medal round piece of metal, often used as an award

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 given as awards. They may be intended to be worn, suspended from clothing or jewellery in some way. They are traditionally struck like a coin by dies.

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 is vested in the President of South Africa who is head of state and head of government, and his Cabinet. The President is elected by the Parliament to serve a fixed term. South Africa's government differs greatly from those of other Commonwealth nations. The national, provincial and local levels of government all have legislative and executive authority in their own spheres, and are defined in the South African Constitution as "distinctive, interdependent and interrelated".

Contents

Historical orders, decorations and medals

Military

Civilian

Order of Good Hope Orde van de Goede Hoop Zuid Afrika.jpg
Order of Good Hope

Union of South Africa

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, as a self-governing dominion in the British Empire. A medal was issued to commemorate the event.

The Dominions were the semi-independent polities under the British Crown that constituted the British Empire, beginning with Canadian Confederation in 1867. "Dominion status" was a constitutional term of art used to signify an independent Commonwealth realm; they included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State, and then from the late 1940s also India, Pakistan, and Ceylon. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognised the Dominions as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire", and the 1931 Statute of Westminster confirmed their full legislative independence.

British Empire States and dominions ruled by the United Kingdom

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It originated with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1913, the British Empire held sway over 412 million people, 23% of the world population at the time, and by 1920, it covered 35,500,000 km2 (13,700,000 sq mi), 24% of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, legal, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, the phrase "the empire on which the sun never sets" was often used to describe the British Empire, because its expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.

As a dominion, the Union came under the British honours system, 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 award a few years later.

The Union's civil honours thus consisted of:

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 first of many independence medals which were instituted throughout the Commonwealth during the 20th century.

South African Medal for War Services

The South African Medal for War Services is a South African service medal for voluntary unpaid service in support of the war effort between 6 September 1939 and 15 February 1946, during the Second World War.

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'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 and left the Commonwealth in 1961.

Commonwealth of Nations Intergovernmental organisation

The Commonwealth of Nations, normally known as the Commonwealth, and historically the British Commonwealth, is a unique political association of 53 member states, nearly all of them former territories of the British Empire. The chief institutions of the organisation are the Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member states.

1967–1986

During the 1960s and 1970s, the government developed a small range of civil honours to recognise bravery and meritorious service:

Order for Meritorious Service Order of Meritourious Service (South Africa).jpg
Order for Meritorious Service

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 in 1994. The expanded honours system comprised:

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

The Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery 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.

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 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) 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 (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 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 (post-nominal: PG), to officers for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty.
  • iPhrothiya yeSiliva (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:

Order of the Baobab

The Order of the Baobab (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 (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 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 (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 (SCOT/GCOT/COT) was instituted in 2002 to award heads of state 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 (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.

Related Research Articles

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.

Nkwe ya Selefera

The Nkwe ya Selefera - Silver Leopard, post-nominal letters NS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It is South Africa's second highest military decoration for bravery.

Nkwe ya Boronse

The Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard, post-nominal letters NB, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 2003. It is South Africa's third highest military decoration for bravery.

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 themselves by exceptional leadership or exceptional meritorious service and the utmost devotion to duty. It is South Africa's highest existing military decoration for meritorious conduct.

iPhrothiya yeBhronzi

The iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea, post-nominal letters PB, 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 themselves by leadership or meritorious service and devotion to duty.

An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part 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.

Honoris Crux Gold

The Honoris Crux Gold, post-nominal letters HCG, is a South African military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 1975. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger. It was the second most senior in a set of four classes of Honoris Crux decorations which replaced the discontinued Honoris Crux of 1952.

The Republic of Namibia has an honours system comprising orders, medals, military decorations, and police decorations. Legislation also provides for the establishment of decorations and medals for the intelligence service, the prisons service, and the fire services.

Star of South Africa, Gold

The Star of South Africa, Gold, post-nominal letters SSA, is the senior decoration of two military and five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, a South African Order which was instituted in 1975, for award to general and flag officers of the South African Defence Force. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.

Star of South Africa, Silver

The Star of South Africa, Silver, post-nominal letters SSAS, was the second level decoration of two military and five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to general and flag officers of the South African Defence Force for exceptionally meritorious service of major military significance. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.

Star of South Africa, Grand Cross

The Star of South Africa, Grand Cross, post-nominal letters SSA, is the senior decoration of five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, a South African Military Order that was instituted by the Republic on 1 July 1975. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.

Star for Bravery in Gold

The Star for Bravery in Gold, post-nominal letters SBG, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who have distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by performing acts of exceptional bravery in great danger.

Star for Bravery in Silver

The Star for Bravery in Silver, post-nominal letters SBS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by performing acts of bravery.

Merit Medal in Silver

The Merit Medal in Silver, post-nominal letters MMS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Silver Medal for Merit

The Silver Medal for Merit, post-nominal letters SMM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty during the "struggle".

Star of South Africa, Officer

The Star of South Africa, Officer, post-nominal letters OSSA, is the fourth-ranked decoration of five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, a South African military order that was instituted by the Republic on 1 July 1975. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.

Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Gold

The Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Gold, post-nominal letters WD, is the senior of two classes of a South African civil decoration for acts of bravery. It replaced the Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Gold, Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Gold and Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Gold, all of which ranked on par with each other and the award of which had been discontinued in 1952, 1961 and 1988 respectively.

Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Silver

The Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Silver, post-nominal letters WDS, is the lesser of two classes of a South African civil decoration for acts of bravery. It replaced the Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery, Silver, Union of South Africa Queen's Medal for Bravery, Silver and Woltemade Decoration for Bravery, Silver, all of which ranked on par with each other and the award of which had been discontinued in 1952, 1961 and 1988 respectively.

The Star of South Africa, Grand Officer, post-nominal letters SSAS, is the second decoration of five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, a military order that was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.

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.

See also

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