Statement on the Unveiling of Names of Recipients of the National Orders by the Director – General in the Presidency & Chancellor of Orders – Rev Frank Chikane

On Tuesday 22 April 2008, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will bestow the National Orders on men and women who have contributed to making a better life for current and future generations of our country.

The National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals who have contributed to our nation's attainment of democracy, building democracy and human rights etc. Since the attainment of democracy in 1994, men and women from all
levels of society have been honoured for their contribution to peace, nation building and human rights, and for achievement of excellence in various field of endeavour.

It is against this background that the National Orders are held as part of nation building and consolidating our democracy. Government through National Orders seeks to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and human rights.

On behalf of The Presidency, it is now my pleasure to announce the names of the recipients of National Orders Awards.

These Orders are conferred on these people for they have achieved excellence and made outstanding and exceptional contributions to the attainment of freedom, nation building, and consolidation of democracy for the benefit of South Africa.

They represent the type of cadre that should inspire all citizens to emulate their spirit, their courage and their commitment to the development of South Africa and humanity as a whole.

The National Orders Awards are presented as follows:

A THE ORDER OF THE BAOBAB IN BRONZE

1. Filippus Letladi Mminele (Posthumous)
For his outstanding and tireless contribution in the field of education and for his religious perspective that made this service
possible

2. Zodwa Mqadi
For her outstanding contribution to community work and caring for needy and vulnerable children

3. Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi
For her outstanding contribution to Health Education, Youth Development and upliftment of the lives of communities in rural villages

B THE ORDER OF THE BAOBAB IN SILVER

1. Raymond "Bill" Hoffenberg (Posthumous)
For his excellent contribution to the advancement of medicine and opposing apartheid policies.

2. Theo Kotze (Posthumous)
For his excellent contribution to the struggle against the injustices of the apartheid system

3. Ruth Machobane
For overcoming her sight challenges to record excellent achievements and for motivating and empowering visually impaired people

4. Winston Hugh Njongonkulu Ndungane
For his excellent contribution to the struggle against apartheid and striving for a world free of wars, poverty and inequality

5. Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu
For his excellent contribution to the struggle against apartheid and contributing to the African Renaissance

6. Franklin Sonn
For his excellent contribution to education and the course of justice in South Africa

C THE ORDER OF THE BAOBAB IN GOLD

1. Sir Sydney Kentridge
For his exceptional contribution to the fight against unjust apartheid laws and embracing the vision of a non-racial, non-sexist, free and democratic society.

2. Chief Justice Pius Langa
For his exceptional service in law, constitutional jurisprudence and human rights

D THE ORDER OF LUTHULI IN SILVER

1. Himan Bernadt (Posthumous)
For providing legal defence to anti-apartheid activists and excellent contribution in advancing justice and human rights in the legal field

2. Jean Bernadt
For her excellent contribution to the struggle against gender oppression

3. Bertha Nonkumbi Gxowa
For her excellent contribution to the trade unions and political struggle against apartheid

4. Josiah Jele
For his excellent contribution to the fight against the apartheid system in South Africa

5. Zolile Malindi
For his excellent contribution to the trade-union movement and political struggle against apartheid

6. Barbara Masekela
For her excellent contribution to the eradication of apartheid and contributing to the development of the new South African values

7. Nana Henrietta Moabi
For her excellent contribution to the fight against racial colonialism in South Africa

8. Billy Modise
For his excellent contribution to the achievement of a South Africa free of racial oppression and to the building of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa

9. Mlungisi Griffiths and Victoria Nonyamezelo Mxenge (Posthumous)
For their excellent contribution to the field of law and sacrifices made in the fight against apartheid oppression in South Africa

10. Magdalene "Maggie" Resha (Posthumous)
For her excellent contribution to the struggle against the apartheid system in South Africa and fighting gender injustices in society

11. Vesta Smith
For her excellent contribution to the struggle against apartheid and for her tireless involvement in the community around her

12. Chanderdeo "George" Sewpershad (Posthumous )
For opposing the apartheid regime and striving for the ideals of a non-racial, non-sexist, just and democratic South Africa

E ORDER OF LUTHULI IN GOLD

1. James Arthur Calata (Posthumous)
For his exceptional contribution to music, theology and activism against injustice

2. Robert Resha (Posthumous)
For his exceptional contribution to the achievement of a non-racial, non-sexist, just and democratic South Africa

3. Walter Rubusana (Posthumous)
For his exceptional contribution to the arts, the enrichment of the isiXhosa language and African literature

F ORDER OF THE COMPANION- OF O R TAMBO IN BRONZE

1. Linda Biehl
For displaying outstanding spirit of forgiveness in the wake of the murder of her daughter and contributing to the promotion of non-racism in post-apartheid South Africa

G ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF O R TAMBO IN SILVER

1. Jerry Dunfey
For supporting the struggle for a free, just and democratic South Africa and contributing to the ideals of peace and justice in the world

2. Ronald Verni Dellums
For excellently striving for self-development and knowledge in the face of institutional racism in the United States of America (USA) and contributing to international pressure on apartheid South Africa

3. Harold George Belafonte
For his excellent contribution to the struggle against racial oppression, dedicating his life to the humanitarian course and contributing to the arts of music and cinematography

4. Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon (Posthumous)
For excellent contribution to the fight against colonialism and the apartheid system in South Africa

5. Philip Potter
For excellent contribution to peace, justice, non-racism and equality in the world through the vehicle of Christianity and leading efforts to develop the theological consensus document Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, which was part of a campaign against apartheid
in South Africa

6. Per Wästberg
For his excellent contribution to the fight against colonialism in Africa and apartheid in South Africa

H ORDER OF THE COMPANIONS OF O R TAMBO IN GOLD

1. Chief Emeka Anyaoku (1933 - )
For his exceptional contribution to the struggle for freedom, justice and democracy in South Africa and on the African continent and for persistent efforts to promote the attainment of democracy and good governance on the African continent

The people I have just mentioned together with many others, who have received orders in the past, should continue to inspire us as we continue with the business unusual.

It would also be our responsibility to put all our hands on deck to further renew our pledge for a national partnership to build a better life for all.

Issued by The Presidency
Union Buildings
Tshwane

17 April 2008