President Ramaphosa bestows National Orders to 32 recipients

In the National Orders Book for 2024, Director-General in the Presidency Phindile Baleni – who is Chancellor of National Orders – heaped praise on the recipients.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday bestowed National Orders to 32 recipients during a ceremony held at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane.

The awards are the highest honour that can be given in South Africa.

In the National Orders Book for 2024, Director-General in the Presidency Phindile Baleni – who is Chancellor of National Orders – heaped praise on the recipients.

“These men and women have given concrete meaning to the eternal values of selflessness, love for freedom, racial harmony, equality and self-application, so as to reach seemingly impossible heights of achievement that we proudly acknowledge today, and from which our nation benefits,” Baleni said.

The recipients are as follows:

The Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver:

Ms MaWilliams Kekana

Mr Ignatius ‘Iggy’ Mthebule (Posthumous)

Mr Makhwezi McDonald Mtulu (Posthumous)

Mr Robert Anthony Basil Waterwitch (Posthumous)

Ms Coline Denise Williams (Posthumous)

The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold:

Ms Nontando ‘Noni’ Helen Jabavu (Posthumous)

Dr Aggrey Klaaste (Posthumous)

Dr Muziwakhe ‘Madala’ Kunene

The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver:

Mr Angus Gibson

Mr Emile Lester Jansen

Ms Saray N’kusi Khumalo

Ms Sophie Msoziswa Mahlangu

Dr Latozi ‘Madosini’ Mpahleni (Posthumous)

Mr Trevor Dundas Mweli Skota (Posthumous)

The Order of the Baobab in Gold:

Ms Blanche Valeria La Guma (Posthumous)

Ms Zukiswa Patricia Matolengwe

The Order of Luthuli in Gold:

Mr Mxolisi ‘Dicky’ Jacobs (Posthumous)

Mr Peter Cyril Jones (Posthumous)

Mr Benjamin Langa (Posthumous)

Mr Thobekile ‘Topsy’ Madaka (Posthumous)

Mr Siphiwo Mtimkhulu (Posthumous)

Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu

Mr Kenneth Hlako Rachidi (Posthumous)

Ms Annie Silinga (Posthumous)

Ms Nokuthula Simelane (Posthumous)

The Order of Mapungubwe in Silver:

Prof Mulalo Doyoyo (Posthumous)

The Order of The Companions Of Or Tambo In Silver:

Mr Huub Bammens – The Netherlands

Ms Donna Katzin – United States of America

Mr Ken Luckhardt – Canada

Sir Nicholas Stadlen (Posthumous) –United Kingdom

Mr Fulco Van Aurich – The Netherlands

Ms Brenda Wall – Canada

“They have, without exception, proffered worthy contributions to the development of our society so that we may not only aspire to, but actually become who we want to become. Indeed, they have contributed to our state of liberty.

“We commend to you these noble men and women of our country, our continent and our common world, as recipients of the prestigious National Orders. We salute them, one and all,” Baleni said. 

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)