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Ceremonial Oration of the
Grand Patron of the National Orders, President Thabo
Mbeki, 02 December 2003
In the name of the people, we welcome you to this solemn
ceremony, convened to admit to the ranks of the Orders
of Luthuli and Ikhamanga and the Mendi Decoration men
and women who deserve high tribute for what they have
done to enrich our lives.
With the inauguration today of our two new Orders and
Decoration, the process to reconstitute our system of
national symbols will have been completed.
We have convened today at the seat of government, the
Union Buildings, to admit some among us to the Order
of Luthuli. These are compatriots who have made outstanding
contributions to the realisation of our longstanding
desire for a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist
South Africa.
All of them have sacrificed much in their own lives,
and yet some, their very lives, so that all our people
can enjoy the right to live in a society free of oppression,
racism and bigotry. All of them have been standard bearers
for freedom who have blessed us with the gift of liberty.
In the best traditions of our struggle for freedom,
as represented by the life and spirit of Chief Albert
Luthuli, they stand out as the beacons that must guide
us forever as we build a society founded on the high
ideals of freedom, justice, equality and human solidarity.
We have convened today at the seat of government, the
Union Buildings, to admit to the Order of Ikhamanga,
our leading cultural workers and sportsmen and women.
All of them have contributed to the pride we as a nation
feel in our achievements that celebrate our inner African
and human soul.
Their achievements are representative of the wealth
of human imagination and talent brought forth from our
continent, which has, since time immemorial, endowed
the planet earth with the things of beauty that are
products of human creativity.
We have convened today at the seat of government, the
Union Buildings, to award the Mendi Decoration to our
brave hearts, those who gave or risked their lives so
that others may live. These South Africans, for whom
human life is priceless, have reaffirmed the principle
borne of struggle, of the right to life.
They have confronted clear and present danger of one
kind or another, with full knowledge of the potential
harm to themselves, to save human life and limb. They
vanquished the natural instinct for self-preservation
with the same courage and willingness to sacrifice for
the greater good that was demonstrated by the heroes
of the SS Mendi. By their deeds, they re-affirmed our
philosophy of Ubuntu - we are because of you!
These National Orders and Decoration represent the
nobility of human endeavour.
The distinguished South Africans we honour today are
fit and proper persons to receive these awards, because
they occupy an important place among those of our people
who are the handmaidens of our liberty, who represent
our creative talent, who manifest the national gift
of courage that rises with danger.
For all time, these men and women will be admitted
as esteemed members of these Orders, and recipients
of the Decoration, subject to the precedence and authority
of our National Anthem, our National Flag, and our National
Coat of Arms, which represent the highest symbolic repositories
of our common nationhood.
We are especially blessed that this ceremony permits
us to share a brief encounter with the honoured Members
of the National Orders and Decorations, who live.
We are especially privileged that this ceremony brings
us into communion with the noble souls of the honoured
Members of the National Orders and Decorations, who
have departed from the world of the living.
To them all, the living and the dead, on this day,
the nation says - bayethe!
On this day, let all citizens and patriots proclaim:
Glory to the Honoured Members of the National Orders
and the recipients of Decoration for Bravery!
God bless Africa!
Save her children!
Grant her peace!
Issued by the Presidency
2 December 2003
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