South African Orders, Decorations and Medals
Encyclopedia
South African Orders, Decorations and Medals are those military
and civilian
order
s, decorations and medal
s issued by the Government of South Africa
. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:
Decoration (post-nominal letters: CGH) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
It had only one grade and a dark green ribbon.
Honoris Crux
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) medal (post-nominal letters: HC) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in (military) action. The decoration had only one grade and its ribbon was green with red and white edges.
This decoration was discontinued in 1975, being replaced by the Honoris Crux Decoration.
The order initially had four grades (Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver, Honoris Crux), but the Diamond (never awarded) and Gold grades were discontinued in 1993. The ribbons of the medals were orange with white stripes (width and position depending on grade).
The four grades Honoris Crux Decorations:
The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being either dark blue with orange and white central stripe (1952 medal) or dark blue with white edges and two narrow white central stripes (1975 medal). It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being dark blue with two narrow white central stripes. It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
Members who fought in the Angolan War of '75- '76 were awarded the medal with the Cunene Clasp, which was added to the ribbon.
It was awarded to people who where in active service in the SADF (South African Defence Force) during the Angolan Bush War
forces for distinguished and meritorious service during the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
The medal only had one grade with the ribbon being red, green, blue, yellow and white. It was discontinued in 1946.
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.
) Decorations for Bravery are awarded for bravery in military operations in place of the Honoris Crux Decorations in 2003.
The three Leopard Decorations are:
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:
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
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.
was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. The order has three grades: Platinum, Gold and Bronze.
was instituted in 2002 to award heads of state
and senior diplomat
s of other countries for showing friendship towards South Africa.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
(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.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
order
Order (decoration)
An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
s, decorations and medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
s issued by the Government of South Africa
Government of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a nearly unique system that combines aspects of parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa...
. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:
Castle of Good Hope Decoration
The Castle of Good HopeCastle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is a star fort which was built on the original coastline of Table Bay and now, because of land reclamation, lies nearer to the Cape Town city centre in South Africa.-History:...
Decoration (post-nominal letters: CGH) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
It had only one grade and a dark green ribbon.
Honoris CruxHonoris CruxThe Honoris Crux Decoration was a South African military decoration that was awarded from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.-First type:...
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) medal (post-nominal letters: HC) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in (military) action. The decoration had only one grade and its ribbon was green with red and white edges.This decoration was discontinued in 1975, being replaced by the Honoris Crux Decoration.
Honoris Crux Decoration
This decoration was instituted in 1975, replacing the Honoris Crux medal, and was awarded for bravery in dangerous (military) situations.The order initially had four grades (Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver, Honoris Crux), but the Diamond (never awarded) and Gold grades were discontinued in 1993. The ribbons of the medals were orange with white stripes (width and position depending on grade).
The four grades Honoris Crux Decorations:
- Honoris Crux DiamondHonoris Crux DiamondThe Honoris Crux Diamond was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 1993. It was the highest of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration , and was intended to recognise "death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour"...
(post-nominal: HCD), To be awarded for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour. - Honoris Crux GoldHonoris Crux GoldThe 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...
(post-nominal: HCG), Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger. - Honoris Crux SilverHonoris Crux SilverThe Honoris Crux Silver was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four classes of the Honoris Crux Decoration The Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) was a South African military decoration that existed from 1975 to 2003. It was the third of the four...
(post-nominal: HCS), Awarded for exceptional bravery in great danger. - Honoris CruxHonoris CruxThe Honoris Crux Decoration was a South African military decoration that was awarded from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.-First type:...
(post-nominal: HC), Awarded for bravery in danger
Military Merit Medal
The Military Merit Medal (post-nominal letters: MMM) was instituted in 1974 and was awarded for service in the armed forces of a high standard. The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being light blue with wide orange central stripe and dark blue edges.Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal (post-nominal letters: SM) was instituted in 1952 for outstanding devotion to duty. From 1967, the medal was awarded to officers only and in 1975 the medal was redesigned.The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being either dark blue with orange and white central stripe (1952 medal) or dark blue with white edges and two narrow white central stripes (1975 medal). It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
Southern Cross Decoration
The Southern Cross Decoration (post-nominal letters: SD) was instituted in 1975 as an award to officers for outstanding service and devotion to duty.The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being dark blue with two narrow white central stripes. It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
Pro Patria Medal
The Pro Patria Medal was awarded to serving members of all races for a period of 55 days continuous or 90 days non-continuous duty in an operational area as designated by the minister, in service in the defence of the RSA for the suppression or prevention of terrorrism.Members who fought in the Angolan War of '75- '76 were awarded the medal with the Cunene Clasp, which was added to the ribbon.
It was awarded to people who where in active service in the SADF (South African Defence Force) during the Angolan Bush War
Decoration for Devoted Service
The Decoration for Devoted Service (post-nominal letters: DTD) was instituted in 1920 as an award to officers in the BoerBoer
Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
forces for distinguished and meritorious service during the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
The medal only had one grade with the ribbon being red, green, blue, yellow and white. It was discontinued in 1946.
Campaign and Service Medals
The following campaign and service medals have been awarded by the South African armed forces:- South African Republic and Orange Free State War Medal
- Natal Native Rebellion Medal
- 1914 Star
- 1914-15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- 1939-45 Star
- Atlantic Star
- Air Crew Europe Star
- Africa Star
- Pacific Star
- Burma Star
- Italy Star
- France and Germany Star
- Defence Medal
- Africa Service Medal
- War Medal 1939-45
- South African Medal for War Services
- Korea Medal
- Pro Patria Medal
- Southern Africa Medal
- General Service Medal
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 in order 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, in order 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.Nkwe (Leopard) Decorations for Bravery
The three Nkwe (LeopardLeopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
) 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 GautaNkwe ya GautaThe Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration The Nkwe ya Gauta is South Africa's highest of the three classes of the Nkwe Decoration (see also Nkwe ya Selefera and...
(Golden Leopard) (post-nominal: NG), for exceptional bravery during military operations. - Nkwe ya SeleferaNkwe ya SeleferaThe Nkwe ya Selefera is South Africa's second of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
(Silver Leopard) (post-nominal: NS), for conspicuous bravery during military operations. - Nkwe ya BoronseNkwe ya BoronseThe Nkwe ya Boronse is South Africa's third of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations ....
(Bronze Leopard) (post-nominal: NB), for bravery during military operations.
Protea Decoration for Merit
The three ProteaProtea
Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes.-Etymology:...
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.
Order of the Baobab
The order of the Boabab 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 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 LuthuliOrder of Luthuli
The Order of Luthuli is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is granted by the president of South Africa, for contributions to South Africa in the following fields: the struggle for democracy, building democracy and human rights, nation-building, justice and...
was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, nation-building, justice, peace and conflict resolution.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Order of Mapungubwe
The order of MapungubweMapungubwe
After Mapungubwe's fall, it was forgotten until 1932. On New Year's Eve 1932, E. S. J. van Graan, a local farmer and prospector, and his son, a former student of the University of Pretoria, discovered the wealth of artifacts on top of the hill. They reported the find to Professor Leo...
was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. The order has three grades: Platinum, Gold and Bronze.
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo
The order of OR TamboOliver Tambo
Oliver Reginald Tambo was a South African anti-apartheid politician and a central figure in the African National Congress .-Biography:Oliver Tambo was born in Bizana in eastern Pondoland in what is now Eastern Cape...
was instituted in 2002 to award heads of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
and senior diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
s 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 BraveryOrder 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....
(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
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
footprints upon it.
See also
- Evolution of the South African honours system
- Military history of South AfricaMilitary history of South AfricaThe 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-defense both within South Africa and against it...
- South African civil honoursSouth African civil honoursAn overview of South African civil orders, decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-Union of South Africa:The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, as a self-governing dominion in the British Empire...
- South African intelligence service decorationsSouth African intelligence service decorationsAn overview of South African intelligence service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-National Intelligence Service:...
- South African military decorationsSouth African military decorationsAn overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...
- South African orders and decorationsSouth African orders and decorationsAn overview of the South African honours system.-1894-1952:The British honours system became applicable to South Africa as colonial rule was established in the region during the nineteenth century...
- South African police decorationsSouth African police decorationsAn 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...
- South African prisons decorationsSouth African prisons decorationsAn overview of South African prisons service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1922-1968:The Prisons Department was established in 1911. It was a civil service department, with uniformed warders...
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