Nkwe ya Gauta
Encyclopedia
The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa
's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration (see also Nkwe ya Selefera
and Nkwe ya Boronse
decorations. It was instituted with effect from 27 April 2003, and may be awarded to members of the South African National Defence Force
(or any other armed forces serving with the SANDF) for exceptional bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded to a recipient who earns the decoration again. A recipient is entitled to use the post-nominal letters NG. The Nkwe ya Gauta (Golden Leopard) Decoration replaced the Honoris Crux Gold
Decoration (Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger).
The decoration is a gold 5-armed convex cross with rays separating the arms. In the centre is a light blue roundel displaying a leopard's head. The South African coat of arms
appears on the reverse.
The ribbon is light blue with gold edges. Light blue represents the feathers of the blue crane bird, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors. An arm-of-service emblem is worn on the ribbon to indicate whether the recipient was serving in the army
, air force
, navy
, or military health service at the time of earning the decoration.
Language of origin: SESOTHO
Medal distinction: LEOPARD
Ribbon colour design: YELLOW (Gold) 6mm and SKY BLUE (Blue Crane) 20mm
The NG forms part of a trio of military decorations for bravery, the others being the Nkwe ya Selefera
(Silver Leopard) and the Nkwe ya Boronse
(Bronze Leopard).
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration (see also Nkwe ya Selefera
Nkwe ya Selefera
The Nkwe ya Selefera is South Africa's second of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
and Nkwe ya Boronse
Nkwe ya Boronse
The Nkwe ya Boronse is South Africa's third of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
decorations. It was instituted with effect from 27 April 2003, and may be awarded to members of the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
(or any other armed forces serving with the SANDF) for exceptional bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded to a recipient who earns the decoration again. A recipient is entitled to use the post-nominal letters NG. The Nkwe ya Gauta (Golden Leopard) Decoration replaced the Honoris Crux Gold
Honoris Crux Gold
The Honoris Crux Gold was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 1993. It was the second of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration . The decoration is awarded for outstanding acts of bravery while in extreme danger and is of silver gilt...
Decoration (Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger).
Criteria
The honours for bravery may be awarded to officers and other ranks of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of exceptional bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of the decoration for service in active military operations shall be indicated by distinguishing insignia according to the Service in which the recipient was serving, ie Army uniform: Crossed swords; Air Force uniform: Eagle; Naval uniform: Anchor and Military Health Service uniform: Rod of Aesculapius.Guidelines
- Deliberate but daring and courageous actions on a single occasion or over a period of time.
- Single act of valour; or most conspicuous bravery of daring or pre-eminent act of self-sacrifice; or
- extreme devotion to duty in the presence of an enemy.
- Real threat for loss of own life.
- Places a high premium on the prevention of the loss of lives.
- Actions vital to attain success.
- Perseverance under extremely difficult situations.
The decoration is a gold 5-armed convex cross with rays separating the arms. In the centre is a light blue roundel displaying a leopard's head. The South African coat of arms
Coat of arms of South Africa
The present coat of arms of South Africa was introducedon Freedom Day April 27, 2000. It replaced the earlier national arms, which had been in use since 1910. The motto ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke is written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people and translates literally to "diverse people unite"...
appears on the reverse.
The ribbon is light blue with gold edges. Light blue represents the feathers of the blue crane bird, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors. An arm-of-service emblem is worn on the ribbon to indicate whether the recipient was serving in the army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
, air force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
, or military health service at the time of earning the decoration.
Language of origin: SESOTHO
Medal distinction: LEOPARD
Ribbon colour design: YELLOW (Gold) 6mm and SKY BLUE (Blue Crane) 20mm
The NG forms part of a trio of military decorations for bravery, the others being the Nkwe ya Selefera
Nkwe ya Selefera
The Nkwe ya Selefera is South Africa's second of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
(Silver Leopard) and the Nkwe ya Boronse
Nkwe ya Boronse
The Nkwe ya Boronse is South Africa's third of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
(Bronze Leopard).