Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded the prestigious National Order to 32 recipients at a special ceremony held at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Tshwane on Tuesday.
According to the SA Government News Agency, Ramaphosa handed out 32 award across 6 different categories: The Order of Mendi for Bravery in Silver, The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold, The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, The Order of the Baobab in Gold, The Order of Luthuli in Gold, The Order of Mapungubwe in Silver and The Order of The Companions Of Or Tambo In Silver.
The National Orders are the highest honour bestowed upon any South African. The 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 of the National Orders are chosen by the South African people themselves. It is the South African people who makes nominations for consideration.
This is most appropriate because the recipients are the heroes and heroines of the entire nation. The truest test of… https://t.co/9lxc7k13JJ
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 30, 2024
Ramaphosa praised the recipients of the award and said the awarding of the National Order is a recognition of their heroism.
” The recipients of the National Orders are chosen by the South African people themselves. It is the South African people who makes nominations for consideration. This is most appropriate because the recipients are the heroes and heroines of the entire nation,” he said.
Ramaphosa explained the reasons behind each National Order and why each recipient received their respective Order and congratulated them on their outstanding honour.
It is my honour and privilege to present the recipients of this year’s National Orders.
#NationalOrders are the highest accolade bestowed by a country on the men and women, citizens and non-citizens, who have played an invaluable role in building our nation. https://t.co/9lxc7k13JJ— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 30, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
